# Woman found living in grocery store sign **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 13, 2024, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woman-found-living-in-grocery-store-sign/1001493 "2024-05-13T16:05:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![2\_More\_Bits](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/2_more_bits/32/4148_2.png) [@2\_More\_Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2_More_Bits)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2024, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woman-found-living-in-grocery-store-sign/1001493/1 "2024-05-13T16:05:11Z")
“…She had fashioned a desk, houseplant, computer printer, Keurig coffeemaker and food in the sign that looked over the store’s parking lot.” > **[After woman was found living inside Family Fare sign, grocer makes $10K...](https://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw-bay-city/2024/05/after-woman-was-found-living-inside-family-fare-sign-grocer-makes-10k-donation-to-local-shelter.html)** > > Days after a woman was found living in a Family Fare sign, the supermarket chain made a $10,000 donation to Midland’s Open Door crisis shelters and soup kitchen. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2024, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woman-found-living-in-grocery-store-sign/1001493/2 "2024-05-13T16:13:02Z")
I guess she just wanted to get away from the hustling crowd and all that rat-race noise down in the street. mmm ---
**Author:** ![2\_More\_Bits](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/2_more_bits/32/4148_2.png) [@2\_More\_Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2_More_Bits)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2024, 4:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woman-found-living-in-grocery-store-sign/1001493/3 "2024-05-13T16:19:01Z")
I’m afraid her paradise is no longer trouble proof. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2024, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woman-found-living-in-grocery-store-sign/1001493/4 "2024-05-13T16:21:14Z")
How did she shower? I’m guessing that for relieving her bladder/bowels she would just sneak down to the usual public restroom itself but surely there’d be no showering on site? ---
**Author:** ![2\_More\_Bits](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/2_more_bits/32/4148_2.png) [@2\_More\_Bits](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/2_More_Bits)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2024, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woman-found-living-in-grocery-store-sign/1001493/5 "2024-05-13T16:29:53Z")
How, I wonder, did she discover this little hideaway in the first place. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2024, 4:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woman-found-living-in-grocery-store-sign/1001493/6 "2024-05-13T16:36:32Z")
Non-adblock-blocked story: > **[Woman was living inside rooftop grocery store sign with computer and coffee...](https://apnews.com/article/michigan-store-rooftop-sign-homeless-0185c0d7e4cd7a2f8581e8b8e0eb01b7)** > > The woman, whose name was not released, told police she had a job elsewhere but had been living inside the Family Fare sign for roughly a year, Warren said. ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/958977/32.png) [@salinqmind1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind1)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2024, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woman-found-living-in-grocery-store-sign/1001493/7 "2024-05-13T16:42:03Z")
Well, she spent a lot of time in there, but of course she didn’t poop and pee in there. … where do most homeless people wash up? With paper towels in rest rooms? At a shelter where she might stay at a few times a month? Using baby wipes, or paying a small fee to use a truck stop shower? ---
**Author:** ![MC\_Lovecraft](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mc_lovecraft/32/16062_2.png) [@MC\_Lovecraft](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MC_Lovecraft)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2024, 5:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woman-found-living-in-grocery-store-sign/1001493/8 "2024-05-13T17:10:47Z")
I have been homeless, recently actually, although I was fully employed at the time. I rotated between several businesses that I knew had public restrooms, and where the employees wouldn’t hassle me. The public Library was also a good spot to hang out, that had a public restroom. Because I was employed I was able to afford to get a room at the cheapest roach-motels available once or twice a week to shower, wash my clothes, etc. The rest of the time I lived and slept in my car. I avoided urinating outside, and would use bottles if I had to pee at night, disposing of them in dumpsters in the morning. I’m glad it seems like they treated this woman fairly humanely, instead of just sending in some cops to violently evict her, and that they made a significant donation to a local shelter, but I do worry about what will happen to her next. The article says she’s not employed at the store, but it’s not clear if she has any kind of income at all. They obviously aren’t going to let her stay in the sign, but even their $10,000 donation isn’t going to make the local shelter a viable mid-long term solution for her, and it’s very likely that she will end up on the street eventually. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Undeposable\_Hand](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/the_undeposable_hand/32/8502_2.png) [@The\_Undeposable\_Hand](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Undeposable_Hand)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2024, 5:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woman-found-living-in-grocery-store-sign/1001493/9 "2024-05-13T17:46:48Z")
It says clearly in the AP story that she has a job she goes to. So maybe that’s where she handles many of her hygeine needs. I think we will only see more stories of able bodied employed folks living unsheltered in resourceful ways. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2024, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woman-found-living-in-grocery-store-sign/1001493/10 "2024-05-13T18:34:22Z")
Even though I know it happens a lot (for instance, by the testimony of our own members), I’m still a little shocked and scandalized that a person can be gainfully employed but still not earn enough to secure the necessities of life (housing being one of the most expensive). “Homeless while being fully employed” sounds like it should really be impossible, but I guess it’s quite common. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2024, 6:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woman-found-living-in-grocery-store-sign/1001493/11 "2024-05-13T18:39:30Z")
Good view. Can perhaps also pass the time by singing Ace of Base. _(Ah) I got a new life, you would hardly recognize me I’m so glad, how can a person like me care for you? (Ah) why do I bother, when you’re not the one for me?_ _Ooh-ooh-ooh, is enough enough?_ _I saw the sign And it opened up my eyes, I saw the sign Life is demanding without understanding…_ ---
**Author:** ![markn\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@markn\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/markn_1)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2024, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woman-found-living-in-grocery-store-sign/1001493/12 "2024-05-13T19:18:18Z")
So that 1970 song was about the availability of alternative forms of housing? _Sign, sign, everywhere a sign_ _Blockin’ out the scenery_ _Breakin’ my mind_ ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2024, 7:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woman-found-living-in-grocery-store-sign/1001493/13 "2024-05-13T19:27:45Z")
Technically, an employer only needs pay minimum wage. 40 hours a week at $7.25 an hour for 49 weeks in a year (assuming you get three weeks off) = just $14,000 a year. $14,000 might cover your food and other bodily necessities and transportation, etc. but not leave a single dime left for housing. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2024, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woman-found-living-in-grocery-store-sign/1001493/14 "2024-05-13T19:50:06Z")
I’m not sure what the cut-off on salary is. But there is housing assistance available. My understanding is you have to have no judgements against you about drugs or other criminal behavior. It may the barest of decent housing. But it’s a roof and a bathroom and a kitchen. I can’t believe all states don’t have this. Even poor ol’ Arkansas has it. It’s called HUD here. Housing and Urban Development. Isn’t that a Federal dept.? Maybe the sign lady was on a waiting list? Who knows? ---
**Author:** ![Lancia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lancia/32/17174_2.png) [@Lancia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lancia)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2024, 8:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woman-found-living-in-grocery-store-sign/1001493/15 "2024-05-13T20:49:03Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > But there is housing assistance available. My understanding is you have to have no judgements against you about drugs or other criminal behavior. > It may the barest of decent housing. But it’s a roof and a bathroom and a kitchen For certain values of “available”. My county of 115K people, which the state estimates there are approximately 500 homeless people living in it (which I know is a number far short of actual), has 19 HUD housing units. _19_ units. A roof and a bathroom and a kitchen don’t mean shit if they aren’t actually available to those who need it. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2024, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woman-found-living-in-grocery-store-sign/1001493/16 "2024-05-13T22:20:43Z")
The waiting lists for HUD in a given area can be extremely long. And the application process, at best, can take months; and requires a whole batch of information that homeless people may not be able to get at all, or may not be able to get soon enough to keep from being knocked all the way to the back of the line again due to not meeting a deadline. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2024, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woman-found-living-in-grocery-store-sign/1001493/17 "2024-05-13T22:29:49Z")
I feel like we have way more units available. The small village(pop. 700) I live near has a big complex of apartments and duplexes. It’s actually the biggest thing in the little town. I figured it’s well over 100 apartments. Everyone is poor in that place. States and counties differ. I understand that. It’s a sad state of affairs when we cannot help the poorest and neediest of us. We suck. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2024, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woman-found-living-in-grocery-store-sign/1001493/18 "2024-05-13T22:41:12Z")
Does the complex accept HUD for the units? Not all landlords do. Some areas, but not all areas, require landlords to accept the vouchers. It does vary considerably by area. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2024, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woman-found-living-in-grocery-store-sign/1001493/19 "2024-05-13T22:47:03Z")
It’s a government project. You can’t get a unit if you don’t qualify. That means elderly on Social Security Poor young families receiving welfare, food stamps or snap, WIC and whatever they have now. Disabled. If they’re working poor the rent is pro-rated. They would get a voucher and they’d be liable for the rest of the payment. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [May 13, 2024, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woman-found-living-in-grocery-store-sign/1001493/20 "2024-05-13T23:04:53Z")
> [@Beckdawrek](#): > > It’s a government project. You can’t get a unit if you don’t qualify. Whoops, never mind. You mean, I think, that the apartment/duplex complex is a government project, and only accepts people who need assistance. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/woman-found-living-in-grocery-store-sign/1001493.md?page=2)