Title: All Too Human
Story:
According to a federal report released by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Kentucky saw a nearly 10 percent increase in the number of individuals experiencing homelessness from 2023 to 2024. According to the 2024 Kentucky Housing Corporation “K-Count,” in Bowling Green, the seat of Warren County, just over 150 people live year-round without any form of long-term housing or a straightforward path to obtain it.

The individual experience of each person varies, but they all share a common struggle of survival in the streets.

Some are lone wolves, like Lester Martin. After waiting several months to receive a Section 8 housing voucher, Lester hoped to seize the opportunity to get off the streets for good. After a haircut and a free shave at the local barber college, along with some new pants and a donated pair of work shoes, he found a job at a local Rally’s working for a manager who agreed to give him a chance. He spent several weeks splitting his hours between the heat of a sizzling grill and the cold of his secluded park bench, away from police and others who might chase him from his makeshift home. But before he could save enough cash to pay the rent for an apartment, old vices derailed him, and he soon found himself out of a job. “When I drink that vodka, there’s a whole other person that comes out,” Lester said.

There are couples on the street as well, like Dustin Carpenter and Alicia Zantow. After Alicia was laid off in the COVID-19 pandemic, she and Dustin moved in with her folks. After Alicia’s mother had medical troubles and major surgery, Alicia and Dustin moved in with her sister. Then the siblings had a falling-out. They couch-surfed with friends, then found short-term rentals. Once the money dried up, they moved into a homeless shelter. After they were accused of breaking shelter rules, they both were kicked out. Now, with a small yellow shopping cart piled high with most everything they own, it