Published: June 29, 2006

The New Homeless - People Living in Cars

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Half Homeless

This Friday, June 30, California Connected looks at a growing phenomenon in California - people living in cars.

Photo:California Connected

The award-winning series also reports on a unique solution: Santa Barbara's New Beginnings program. The organization uses ten county, city and non-profit parking lots to help the growing number of people who are living in their last real possession... their vehicles.

Producer Angela Shelley hears first-hand the challenges faced on a daily basis by those who have no other choice but to call their car "home."

People from all walks of life utilize New Beginnings: the guy who lost millions in the dot-com bust and his kids, and the plumber who works at hillside mansions.

The organizer calls it "the last safety blanket before falling into complete homelessness." These "half-homeless" are allowed to stay over night in unused parking lots at non-profit organizations and city office buildings.

They can enter at 7:00 p.m. but must leave by 6:30 a.m." Living in Cars provides an intimate look at living on the edge.

California Connected is an issue-driven weekly news magazine program that celebrates television's unique ability to build communities and empower people.

If you missed the show on TV, you can see it here:
Half Homeless,
Produced by Angela Shelley

alan@newsblaze.com