In the biting cold of Minneapolis, where temperatures hover around 38 degrees, David shares his journey from stability to uncertainty.
His story is not just about homelessness—it’s about the fragility of economic security and the resilience of human dignity in the face of hardship.
Please watch the interview.
A Life Upended
For 23 years, David worked as a chimney sweep, proudly recalling how he could single-handedly manage a 36-foot ladder and confidently navigate steep rooftops. His identity and livelihood were deeply intertwined with this skilled trade. Then, as he puts it, “the economy dropped out, so there’s no more work.”
This stark transition—from decades of stable employment to sudden joblessness—highlights how vulnerable many of us are to economic shifts beyond our control. David’s story is a powerful reminder that housing insecurity often begins with circumstances that could affect anyone: job loss, economic downturns, or health crises.
The Hidden Struggles
Throughout the interview, David reveals the complex reality of housing insecurity that often goes unseen. He and his wife have navigated a patchwork of temporary solutions—shelters like St. Stephen’s and the Salvation Army, couch-surfing with friends in crowded apartments, and at one point, finding themselves near the 35W bridge before its collapse.
David’s experience illustrates how the systems designed to support people experiencing homelessness can be difficult to access and insufficient to meet real needs.
When asked why homeless services aren’t helping, David responds, “We’re doing the best we can,” before explaining that he can no longer reach one of the outreach programs previously assisting them.
What Truly Matters
The most moving moment comes when David is asked about his three wishes. His heartfelt priorities speak volumes:
- To stay with his wife for the rest of his life
- For his wife, who was recently hospitalized, to be healthy
- And only then, with a laugh that carries humor and resignation: “I could use a little more money actually!”
These wishes reflect what matters most to David—not returning to his former status or material comfort, but the well-being of his loved ones and the dignity of having just enough to get by.
David’s story represents thousands of Americans who have found themselves without stable housing despite decades of hard work and contribution to society.
