Coastal woman shares what it’s like to be unsheltered during the winter

As temperatures continue to drop, organizations across the Gulf Coast are working quickly to prepare unsheltered people for the cold.

It’s hard to imagine being outside in the cold for days with nowhere to warm up.

“I mean, I just recently got a blanket about two weeks ago, and if it wasn’t for that one blanket, me and my dogs would be frozen.”

Traci Harper and her husband – both unsheltered and disabled – have experienced over 20 winters outside.

They’ve received help from the community, but each day they fight the elements outside.

“Being on the streets in the middle of the winter with the rain and the cold, and say you’ve only got a small tent from like Back Bay Mission or something, and a small tarp, but say that stuff gets wet,” Traci Harper said. “Your clothes get wet. You don’t have any clothes. Your bedding gets wet.”

Organizations offer hot showers and clothes dryers for this very reason, but the goal of organizations like Open Doors Homeless Coalition is for unsheltered people to have a home.

“We need a shelter. We absolutely need a shelter,” said Amanda Barnett, deputy housing director. “And I think if we can get more people to agree to allow that in their neighborhood, allow that in their communities, that will help.”

The coalition helps find housing for unsheltered people – like the Harpers.

This winter will, hopefully, be their last on the streets, as the harpers are expected to sign a lease for a home by the end of January.

“I have a little bit of a different aspect. I’m hoping to save up money so we can continue living instead of having to go back out on the streets,” Traci Harper said. “But I’m so excited. I’m almost in tears because I’m that excited. Being homeless and being able to know you’re going to be off the streets is a blessing. Even if it’s just a small, little bitty help, like a motel for the night… it’s a blessing.”

Traci harper tells us some ways you can help unsheltered people make it through the winter that isn’t the usual coat and blanket drive.

Water proof bags to store those clothes and blankets, matches, and raincoats are all beneficial. She says anything you would want when it’s a mucky day out is perfect.