10 Documentaries About Homelessness That Will Change Your Perspective

These 10 documentaries about homelessness provide a deep insight into the daily struggles of those experiencing it and inspire action toward a future where everyone has a place to call home.

As a growing social issue in many countries around the world, homelessness has been the subject of countless documentaries. Documentaries can be a powerful tool to raise awareness and advocate for change. In this article, we have compiled a list of 10 documentaries that provide a deep insight into the complex issue of homelessness.

1. Streets of Plenty

“Streets of Plenty” is a documentary that takes a raw and unflinching look at the lives of homeless people in Los Angeles. The film follows the director, who goes undercover as a homeless person for two weeks, to gain a deeper understanding of the daily struggles that homeless individuals face. The film is a poignant reminder of the social and economic factors that contribute to homelessness.

2. Dark Days

“Dark Days” is a documentary that chronicles the lives of a group of homeless people living in abandoned tunnels beneath New York City. The film provides an intimate and raw look at the daily struggles of life in extreme poverty. The film won several awards and is considered one of the best documentaries about homelessness ever made.

3. Lost Angels: Skid Row Is My Home

“Lost Angels” is a documentary that explores the lives of homeless individuals living on Skid Row in Los Angeles. The film follows the stories of eight individuals, including a Vietnam War veteran and a drug addict, as they struggle to survive on the streets. The film is a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit in the face of extreme adversity.

4. Storied Streets

This documentary follows filmmaker Thomas Morgan as he travels the country to explore the issue of homelessness and the many faces of those who are experiencing it. Through interviews with people from all walks of life, including those who are currently homeless and those who have successfully overcome homelessness, the film provides a powerful insight into the challenges and complexities of the issue.

5. The Homestretch

“The Homestretch” is a documentary that follows the lives of three homeless teenagers in Chicago. The film provides an intimate look at the struggles that homeless youth face, including poverty, trauma, and discrimination. The film is a powerful reminder of the urgent need to address youth homelessness.

6. The Waiting Room

“The Waiting Room” (2012) – This documentary provides a powerful look at the issue of homelessness through the lens of a hospital emergency room. The film follows the lives of patients and staff at Highland Hospital in Oakland, California, as they navigate the challenges of the healthcare system and grapple with the underlying issues that contribute to homelessness.

7. Surviving Homeless

The documentary “Surviving Homeless” follows filmmaker and adventurer, Paul Suggert, who lived on the streets for six weeks to film a documentary on the reality of being homeless. The documentary covers topics such as violence between homeless people, violence towards the homeless, and stories from the homeless on how they survive.

The documentary also explores how the public reacts to the homeless. Through conversations with homeless individuals, the documentary reveals the challenges they face, including accessing information during lockdowns and making ends meet. Paul also reaches out to a friend who is a homeless charity director for help.

8. Bay Area Homeless

The Documentary is about the homelessness crisis in the Bay Area, California. The report shows the severity of the situation and the different factors that cause it, including job loss, medical issues, drug problems, and high housing costs. The documentary features interviews with homeless people living in tent cities and sheds light on their daily struggles.

The report also highlights the efforts of lawmakers, cities, and counties to find solutions to the crisis. Homelessness has risen in Silicon Valley and Santa Clara County, with a significant increase in the number of homeless youths. San Francisco has 7,500 homeless people, including families with young children.

9. Under The Bridge

The documentary “Under The Bridge: The Criminalization of Homelessness” explores the issue of homelessness in Indianapolis, Indiana. The film focuses on a homeless camp located under a bridge where individuals and families have been living for over 20 years. The documentary highlights the stories of various individuals living in the camp, including Maurice, who is considered the mayor of the camp and helps people with their life problems and issues.

The film also features interviews with other members of the homeless community, who share their experiences of homelessness and the struggles they face every day. The interviews provide insight into the complex reasons why people become homeless, including job loss, addiction, mental health issues, and poverty.

The documentary also examines the negative perception of homelessness in the community and the criminalization of homelessness by law enforcement. The film shows how local news reports fuelled the fear of the homeless and contributed to calls to shut down the camp, leading to further criminalization of homelessness.

Throughout the documentary, the filmmakers portray the homeless camp as a community that functions at a remarkably high level, providing safety, security, and a sense of belonging for those who live there. The camp offers daily necessities such as food, water, and shelter, as well as a support system for its residents.

Overall, “Under The Bridge: The Criminalization of Homelessness” sheds light on the struggles and resilience of the homeless community in Indianapolis and highlights the need for more support and understanding from society.

10. The Oakland, California Homeless Problem is Beyond Belief

The documentary discusses the homeless problem in Oakland, California. Homeless encampments can be found all over the city, and it is estimated that there are around 5,000 homeless individuals in Oakland, with the number nearly doubled in the last two years.

The high cost of living in the Bay Area is cited as one of the reasons for the increase in homelessness. However, there is no one reason for homelessness being so high in Oakland. The homeless problem is impacting the community in various ways, such as local businesses losing customers, residents experiencing theft and noise disturbances, and police being stretched thin due to low numbers.

The documentary features a homeless camp made up of RVs and improvised shelters, with some residents being the working poor who cannot afford a place to live in Oakland despite having jobs.

The camp is organized and has leaders who enforce rules, and some residents aim to turn it into a permanent village of tiny homes. Overall, the documentary provides a glimpse into the homeless problem in Oakland and its impact on the community.

Conclusion

Documentaries about homelessness can be a powerful tool to raise awareness and advocate for change. The films on this list provide a deep insight into the complex issue of homelessness and the daily struggles of those experiencing it.

By shedding light on the root causes of homelessness and the resilience of the human spirit, these documentaries can inspire action and help us work towards a future where everyone has a place to call home.

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