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PHOTOS: Our Homeless: Struggle on the Streets
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John Gusky
67-year-old Lorenzo is from San Marcos and is a double amputee. He lost part of one leg and part of his other foot to frostbite.
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John Gusky
Lorenzo said he became homeless after physical rehab. He had nowhere to go and cannot work.
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John Gusky
Lorenzo, Rene and Robert (left to right) try to survive the Central Texas heat. They said to beat the heat they "stay under the bridge or in any shade anywhere."
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John Gusky
Carlos is from San Antonio and family and work issues forced him onto the street 6 years ago. Carlos said he likes Austin. "People are nice, police don't hassle as much."
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John Gusky
Andrea from Austin and dog Titan. Andrea has been homeless for four months after a relationship went bad, her partner and provider left and she had nothing. She is pregnant.
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John Gusky
26-year-old Rose and her dog Cupid. Rose is from Orange County, CA and has been in Texas for the past eight years after becoming homeless 10 years ago.
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John Gusky
Rose has been homeless for 10 years after her mom threw her out of the house and she decided to live a "squatter's life." "It's a struggle and we need help."
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John Gusky
Photo taken by KVUE's John Gusky at U.S. 183 and Cameron Road.
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John Gusky
Photo taken by KVUE's John Gusky at U.S. 183 and Cameron Road.
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John Gusky
Sean, 44, from Castroville, TX. He's been homeless for four years. He quit his job to take care of his ailing father and after his dad died, he had no resources.
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John Gusky
44-year-old Sean and his dog Maxwell, from Castroviolle, TX. "Please don't judge us." Photo taken at Research Boulevard and Spicewood Springs Road.
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John Gusky
Tim has been homeless five years and earns $100 a day washing car windows. "Please have some respect for the homeless 'cause you don't know what's going on in our lives."
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John Gusky
Homeless cleanup at U.S. 183 and Burnet Road. Photo by KVUE's John Gusky.
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John Gusky
Homeless cleanup at U.S. 183 and Burnet Road. Photo by KVUE's John Gusky.
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John Gusky
Homeless cleanup at U.S. 183 and Burnet Road. Photo by KVUE's John Gusky.
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John Gusky
Homeless cleanup at U.S. 183 and Burnet Road. Photo by KVUE's John Gusky.
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John Gusky
Homeless cleanup at U.S. 183 and Burnet Road. Photo by KVUE's John Gusky.
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John Gusky
Homeless cleanup at U.S. 183 and Burnet Road. Photo by KVUE's John Gusky.
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John Gusky
Homeless cleanup at U.S. 183 and Burnet Road. Photo by KVUE's John Gusky.
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John Gusky
Homeless cleanup at U.S. 183 and Burnet Road. Photo by KVUE's John Gusky.
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John Gusky
David and Elizabeth sit on the sidewalk with their dog Bridget.
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John Gusky
Homeless seek shelter under a bridge in Austin. Surrounding them are the materials they use to make their own "home" on the streets.
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John Gusky
Larry, 37, is from Florida. He's been in Austin for two years and became homeless after losing his job at a restaurant. He stands near MoPac.
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John Gusky
Trash along the curb following church under the bridge. You may notice the full trash bag. With more trash produced you can see the growing problem of homelessness.
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John Gusky
Rob, 28, is on Congress Ave. He's from Dayton, TX. His real mom abandoned him at a young age, but he found her in Austin. "I'm not looking to be homeless forever," said Rob.
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John Gusky
Christopher, 47, is from Nashville. He's been in Austin one year. He suffers severe depression, bi-polar disorder and schizophrenia. "I don't do well by other people's rules..."
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John Gusky
Homeless sleeping under a bridge near where church under the bridge takes place. Church under the bridge is a weekly event where churches bring services to the homeless.
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John Gusky
Paul, 51, is from Abilene. Paul's been in Austin for one year. He's at Cameron Road and Hwy 183. His sign reads "OL' School VET - Need a lil' help!! - Hate Doin' This, But. - GOD BLESS"
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John Gusky
An unidentified man is seen taking a break on a bench along Cesar Chavez Street with his belongings beside him.
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John Gusky
Justin, 30-years-old, is from Tulsa, OK. He's seen attending a health care fair held monthly for the homeless.
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John Gusky
Frank, 47-years-old, is from Austin. In this photo he is receiving an EKG.
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John Gusky
Roy, 56, is from Dallas. He sits with a smile on his face as he awaits medical care.
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John Gusky
Gloria, 58, is from Lawton, OK. She sits near Lake Creek Parkway. She's been in Austin four years. Gloria said she became homeless after she just gave up when her husband passed.
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John Gusky
Trash left behind after church under the bridge in Downtown Austin.
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John Gusky
Brian, 35, is an artist. He sits on the wall next to his guitar playing friend Jason, 40.
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John Gusky
Jason is from Duluth, MN and is homeless by choice. He sits by Burnet Rd. He'd been in Austin one week when this photo was taken. He chose Austin to start over in a warm place.
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John Gusky
Brain, 35, is from Richmond, VA, but has been in Austin for seven years. He became homeless after he got into a fight and got arrested.
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John Gusky
“You don’t have one thing, you lose another,” said Brian. “We’re all in this together, ‘this’ being life. Seat next to me could be yours. It’s just the way things are.”
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John Gusky
Cups left behind after church under the bridge.
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John Gusky
Tiffany, 32, stands near construction at Congress Ave. Tiffany said she has been homeless for three years.
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John Gusky
Homeless gather at church under the bridge, held weekly to assist those in need around the Downtown Austin area.
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John Gusky
Different churches come weekly to offer services for a population of people in need under the bridge. On this day, Christ Church of Austin was seen helping those in need.
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John Gusky
Leslie, 48, has a bite to eat at church under the bridge. She is from Abilene and has been homeless for 9 years. She is homeless because she has been unable to get a job.
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John Gusky
Church under the bridge hosted by Christ Church of Austin on Nov. 4, 2018. On this day, they served bananas and apples to the homeless.
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John Gusky
Tables set out for church under the bridge, where different churches come weekly to offer services to the homeless.
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John Gusky
Trinity Methodist Church distributes donated clothing from the back of a pick-up truck at church under the bridge.
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John Gusky
Church under the bridge is an event held weekly to help the homeless. It does not matter what church you are a part of, or your beliefs, all are welcome to come help those in need.
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John Gusky
Francisco, 84, is from Mexico and works at an apartment. He is seen at church under the bridge.
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John Gusky
Mark, 62, flashes a smile to the camera on Sixth Street and Brazos Street, while he sits in his wheelchair. Mark is from Montana and has been homeless for 14 years.
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John Gusky
Mark came to Austin to stay with his half-sister, but she was into drugs and it didn't work out. He said he served in the army and was 'blown-up' leaving him bound to a wheelchair.
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John Gusky
Gunnar, 64, is from Norway and has been in Austin since 2004. He used to work at a national shipping and freight company.
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John Gusky
Gunnar's wife became seriously ill and around the same time he lost his eyesight. While in the hospital, they lost their trailer and had no place to go except the street.
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John Gusky
Gunnar's eyesight is 70% gone. "I pray for everyone who gives me money," said Gunnar. "Even if it's only 2 cents... I pray for them." Gunnar stands at Anderson Lane.
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John Gusky
Ray, 31, stands under the U.S. Highway 183 overpass at Cameron Road. He is from Long Beach, CA and has been in Austin for six years.
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John Gusky
Jason sits on a bench next to his bike. He came to Austin from Dallas.
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John Gusky
Floyd, 62, is from Austin. He became homeless after he had problems at home and developed a drug problem. "It's scary out here," said Floyd. Floyd stands near Red River St.
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John Gusky
Kim and Ken are a couple living on the streets of Austin. Kim is a UT grad from Houston. She's been in Austin 10 years. She worked as a live-in home health care worker.
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John Gusky
Ken is from Portland, OR and has been in Austin for two and a half years. He lost family members and a job didn't work out, stranding him in Austin. The couple met in Austin.
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John Gusky
Jennifer, 40, is from Houston and has been in Austin for seven years. She said, "Best to get away from my family. Lots of problems with them." She sits at Lake Creek Parkway.
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John Gusky
Lucky sits on steps outside of a building at Guadalupe Street and 22nd Street. He came from Tulsa and has been in Austin for three years.
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John Gusky
Lucky has been in Austin for three years, but has been homeless for 18 years. Lucky became homeless after he lost his job and could not afford a place to rent.
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John Gusky
"Not all of us are dangerous people, but we can be..." said Lucky. "We have to protect ourselves."
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John Gusky, KVUE
Shane, 30-years-old, sits at his homeless camp under Ben White Overpass at Frontier Trail in South Austin. He said criminal activity prevents him from getting a job.
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John Gusky
Shane sits at his homeless camp with his friends "Chuco" and "Irish" while an unidentified man sleeps in the background.
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John Gusky, KVUE
Homeless camps under the Ben White Overpass at Frontier Trail in South Austin on Dec. 25, 2018. A friend of Shane stated, "Most of these people don't even know it's Christmas."
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John Gusky
67-year-old Lorenzo is from San Marcos and is a double amputee. He lost part of one leg and part of his other foot to frostbite.
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