AUSTIN, Texas — Sixty-four-year-old Ralph Hupp sits in a dark room because he has cataracts and the lights hurt his eyes. The cataracts are making it hard for him to get a job.
“Bright lights, office lights, I can’t fill out paperwork because I can’t see the letters off of white paper,” said Hupp.
But he’s trying his best to fill out his forms for Medicaid and Medicare. He lost his job in March and was evicted at an age when most are retiring.
“Right now, I'm devastated. I’m at my wit’s end. I’ve been working since I’ve been 14 years old,” he said.
He and his dog are staying in a hotel until Monday.
“After Monday, it’s back to the tent, where I store my belongings right now,” he said.
According to homeless advocacy organization ECHO, Hupp’s story is common. They say Travis County has a shortage of 6,000 permanent housing units for people experiencing homelessness.
“If we’re seeing rents increase, without wages increasing and things of that sort, it makes it very difficult for low-income individuals to stay housed and to find housing,” said Paul Mohr with ECHO.
Finding housing is a struggle that is Hupp’s reality.
“Basically, just look out. This could happen to you. I never saw it coming,” he said.
To donate to Ralph’s GoFundMe, you can click here.
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