Changing the Narrative: Lived Experiences of Homelessness in Durham, North Carolina

This project centers the stories of three adults in Durham, North Carolina, who have experienced homelessness, and seeks to understand a less documented yet growing population, the working homeless, by addressing the following questions: (1) How do working homeless individuals in Durham, specifically older adults, describe their personal journeys, identities and daily experiences beyond housing status? (2) How do local Advocates and volunteers use their personal experience to inform their work? For each participant interviewed, a journalistic narrative was produced, followed by a thematic analysis. The following themes emerged: (1) the dehumanization of homelessness; (2) barriers in healthcare and treatment; and (3) the need for human-centered, community-driven solutions rooted in lived experience. Overall, this research explores participants' daily lives, identities, aspirations and perceived barriers to housing, as well as interpretation of current policies and public attitudes surrounding homelessness. The project moves beyond statistics to challenge stereotypes often shaped by political and media framing, recentering the voices of people most directly affected.