Homeless during a pandemic

EL CENTRO, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - Here in Calexico a city carrying the weight of two countries in its name, a city that is both a barrier and a bridge Homelessness is becoming part of its legacy. 

Within the last 5 years, homelessness has consistently increased. As of April of this year, the number of homeless individuals is at 1,400. 

The stay at home orders have affected everyone but where do you go when you don’t have a home? 

Jorge Galicia says he just wants to use the bathroom.

“The restaurants, stores there aren’t bathrooms anywhere. At this very moment they closed the alleys, we can say the alleys have always been a place to use the bathroom, to pee, an emergency now they closed them for whatever reason. Where are the people suppose to pee?,” Jorge Galicia, a person experiencing homelessness. 

Galicia says the people in charge do not value their humanity. 

“In every place, there’s going to be homeless, even they could become homeless if they lose their job and their life is over.” 

For Jose, an individual suffering from heart conditions says the police do not help them. 

“We need a place, they close the parks, the cops they, they harass us.”

Regular bus user, Maria says the bus stops are filled with pee.
 

"You can't even sit here, the only reason I sat here is because of this foot, I can’t be standing up so I sat but look as you can see, around the back the floors are filthy." 

The city of Calexico has closed public bathrooms and port-a-potties to combat the coronavirus.