'They think we are bad people': Ex-rough sleepers in S'pore on how they ended up on the streets
Everyone has a story.
In 2010, Lee found himself on the streets after losing his job and his marriage. He resorted to sleeping in parks and other public spaces, often waking up to find his belongings missing. The experience lasted for a decade before he secured a rental flat through a social service agency. Lee still remembers the hardships, such as sleeping in corridors and parks, using cardboard as a mattress, and avoiding police patrols. He acknowledges the stigma surrounding rough sleepers and the difficulties of returning to a normal life.
A similar story unfolds with Cedric, who was evicted from his home in 2017 due to his interracial relationship. He and his family ended up living on the beach for a period, enduring cold nights and constant police evictions. Despite the challenges, Cedric managed to secure a rental flat with the help of New Hope Community Services and is now working a stable job in security.
Both Lee and Cedric emphasize the difficulties they faced during their time on the streets, but also highlight their current happiness and stability in their current living situations.
Written by urgent.news from Mothership's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
