Homelessness has been on the rise since 2016, and the pandemic only exacerbated an acute shortage of resources to help people living on the streets. Many communities are struggling to provide support, even as some homeless people turn away from emergency shelters and remain in outdoor encampments.
In Charleston, West Virginia, the city’s opioid response program also focuses on support for people who are homeless. Tent cities have been a focus at the state legislature as debate continues over how to help people living on the street.
At the same time, some people say they’re more afraid of people living on the street than in the past. Providing sustained care for homeless people continues to elude and divide even well-meaning and determined communities.
Earlier this year, our Us & Them episode called Compassion Fatigue received a second place award from the Virginias AP Broadcasters for Best Podcast.
This episode of Us & Them is presented with support from the West Virginia Humanities Council and the CRC Foundation.
Subscribe to Us & Them on Apple Podcasts, NPR One, RadioPublic, Spotify, Stitcher and beyond.
Us & Them host Trey Kay met Randy Lantz on the steps of First Presbyterian Church in Charleston on a cold night in January 2023. Lantz, who’s from Georgia, said he’s been homeless since 2016. Lantz said after serving three prison sentences, he found his way “back into the world” after his first incarcerations, but this time, he said, he’s struggling.Photo Credit: Trey Kay/West Virginia Public Broadcasting
The Appalachian Forager And Crosswinds, Inside Appalachia
Lawmakers Return To The Capitol, A Child Neglect Case And Pipeline Safety, This West Virginia Week
TikTok Sensation ‘Appalachian Forager’ And Ruthie Foster Has Our Song Of The Week, This West Virginia Morning
Return Of Vandalia And Latest ‘Us & Them’ Explores Childhood Trauma, This West Virginia Morning
Can Early Trauma Last A Lifetime?
Latest On USPS Charleston Processing And Distributing Center, This West Virginia Morning
Pipeline Safety Concerns And Radioactive Waste, This West Virginia Morning
Funding Emergency Shelters And National Pro Road Championships Comes To Charleston, This West Virginia Morning
The Grand March And A Year After A Denied Abortion, Inside Appalachia
The Primary Election, Raw Milk And Child Nutrition, This West Virginia Week
A Visit To KY Mountain Laurel Festival And Kim Richey Has Our Song Of The Week, This West Virginia Morning
A Look At The Upcoming Gubernatorial Race On This West Virginia Morning
Primary Election Recap And A Discussion On Child Nutrition, This West Virginia Morning
W.Va. Primary Election Day Underway And The Risks Of Raw Milk On This West Virginia Morning
Pipeline Problems, Student Protests And A Voter’s Guide, This West Virginia Morning
Encore: The Climbing Climate And Paddle Making, Inside Appalachia
W.Va.’s Legislative Scorecard And A Look At Compassion Fatigue On This West Virginia Morning
Preserving A Historic Black Church And A Conversation With Mike Pushkin On This West Virginia Morning
Jefferson Commission Confusion And Pipeline Problems, This West Virginia Morning
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
Insight Story: Tech Trends Unpacked
Zero-Shot
Fast Forward by Tomorrow Unlocked: Tech past, tech future
The Unbelivable Truth - Series 1 - 26 including specials and pilot
Acquired