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Editors note

Out of Sight, Out of Mind is a series in which Clark Curtis will take a closer look at homelessness in Washington. Speaking with those who have experienced it firsthand and managed to turn their lives around, those who currently struggle to find safe and permanent shelter, and what options are available locally for temporary housing.

For the past 30 years, Keith Harris has worked at the Zion Shelter and Kitchen in Washington and is the current director. In 1985, his father, Robert Harris, and Reverend David Moore came together to meet the needs of the homeless. “In February of that year, a man who had been staying in an abandoned house froze to death,” said Harris. “That’s when my father approached Reverend Moore, who ministered at Metropolitan Zion Church, to see if they could use the fellowship hall to provide shelter for those on the streets, and he said ‘sure.’” And that is how it all got started.”

Harris is no stranger to homelessness, as his empathy for the unsheltered is a direct result of him being homeless at one time in his life. While in Greensboro, he lost his job and his home and was forced to sleep on the streets for several days. “I slept in my car, and it was cold because I couldn’t afford the gas to keep my car running,” said Harris. “I can assure you it is no fun. When you are out there homeless with no place to go, no way to get food, no way to take a bath and clean yourself, you lose your self-esteem. I didn’t want to associate with anyone because I felt less than them.” 

Harris said he is one of the fortunate ones, as a friend took him in, and he wound up back home in Washington. “A lot of these folks never get that opportunity,” said Harris. “I assure you I prayed a lot and asked for a lot during those times and thought at one time the Lord had forgotten about me. But I came to realize that He is not on our time, we are on His. I started working here 30 years ago when my father was running the shelter. The homeless are my friends. I listen to them and try to help them when I can.”

Harris said most people don’t think there is a homeless problem in Washington because they don’t see it. But as he pointed out, it is much worse than what people think, as he estimates the numbers could be in the hundreds. “There are tent encampments around the city,” said Harris. “There is one large one that I have visited on a few occasions where men, women, children, and their pets are staying, all just trying to survive. There are no shelters available that can accommodate entire families, so they have taken to the woods, where they have a sense of community and don’t want to be bothered. A lot of these folks work during the day, and at the same time, they hide the fact that they are homeless as their self-esteem is so low. I have met and spoken with those who have contemplated suicide. If people could see some of the things that I have seen, they would understand the extent of the problem.”

“Temporary emergency shelter is limited in our area,” added Harris. “And we are all trying to do our best, but just think of the hundreds that we are unable to serve, and those who have no family or friends and are trying to make it on their own.”

Harris said the misconceptions about the homeless are many, so they are often typecast as all being drug addicts or alcoholics, mentally ill, or uneducated. “People don’t seem to understand that these individuals don’t want to be homeless,” said Harris. “Nobody chooses to be this way. All of them are not dirty and unwashed and out there begging for money. They take care of themselves and look just like you and me. Some of them are highly educated with degrees and professional backgrounds. Many work during the day. You probably walk by some of them daily and don’t have a clue they are homeless. The situation they are in can happen to anyone at any time. Sometimes, they need someone to talk to and listen to what they have to say. All of their stories are different. It is really tough out there.”

 Harris added there is a crucial need for affordable housing, which would help to address the problem. “Even if they are making some money, they can’t afford a place they can call their own,” said Harris. “They can’t get a loan to buy anything because they don’t have any credit. They need a place they can call home, but for that to happen, they need to be provided the services needed to help them finally make that transition.”