In 2013, I was homeless, got into drugs went to prison, and then I got to know Jesus and he changed my life...Heaven came through for me in my finances too, getting $50,000 in 2months. I can support God's work and give back to my community. God is more than enough! Now I have a new identity and am a child of God

“I used to be somebody, now I’m somebody else.” My heart broke.

Update on Louis Tse, the phd student living in his car. He is now a system engineer at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory. He founded two organizations that help youths in situations on poverty: Students 4 Students and the Student Movement of Justice and Opportunity (Student MOJO). So glad to know he’s doing well.

The police officer on skid row... simply amazing human being. He is someone who got into his profession for a reason and stayed true to the oath he took... standing ovation to him 👏👏.. not to mention he is so handsome 😍

I used to be somebody. Now I’m somebody else. God bless him. Stunningly powerful.

Lives in a tent.has very little but still offers a soft drink to strangers.seems the ones with the least are some of the best.

She should get an award for this story. I’m watching time number five. Something about this is so warm and touching. Lisa should do a follow up on these people.

This woman was so "Empathic" and she never looked down at these people, so that made the people trust her. She also lived nearby and referred to these people as "her neighbors". It was a truly great documentary by a very admirable reporter!!! She is Great!!!

more of us are one paycheck away from a park bench than we realize....this world needs more love & kindness and less hate

"I live my life with intention." I would happily give him a place to stay while he finished school. Who ever raised that young man deserves a medal.

i was homeless twice in seattle, this documentary was a breath of fresh air showing the humanity in the homeless instead of using it to bastardize them. i really enjoyed this Lisa, thank you.

I commend Lisa for doing this piece. The way she treated each individual was respectful, and heartwarming. She made them relevant in a humanely way. I wish the best for each person.

I actually lived in LAX for about 3 months. It would surprise you just how many places there are that a homeless person can hide in plain sight. It was a struggle, but I DID get out. I remember telling the Airport Police when I finally had a job and a home. Three of them took me to a steak dinner and said they hoped that the next time they saw me, it would be as a passenger headed to some destination or another.

I was homeless for about 3 years, my brothers also experienced homelessness. We come from a very broken home where my mother decided she didn't want to put up with any more responsibilities, and decided to cheat on my stepfather, and use drugs. We were forced to experience homelessness when we were still kids (15 years old). My stepfather move to Vegas and my mom acted like she was going to take care of her three kids, but instead told us we were old enough to figure it out. My twenties were extremely hard, I was in and out of jail, and prison. I was made to believe I was somebody I wasn't, I'm so glad that I finally figured it out, and I have my own place, and my own car, and I finally got my driver's license at 33 years old. I am proof that it does work if you try hard. Use your traumatic events as strength to move forward. God bless you all.

It really got to me when the police officer said he came out here to save lives . He is a beautiful person.

The best documentary of homelessness I've seen filmed in LA., can't wait to see what next for Lisa Biagiotti.

My name's Samantha. I was chronically homeless and addicted to drugs from the time I was 18 to the time I was 24. I became a sex worker to support myself. It took me 3 years of being robbed and stolen from to finally come up with enough for a home. I started working a legit job and have now been sober and off the streets for almost eight years. Took me almost a decade to build it back up. I'm now in college to become an addictions counselor and a homeless advocate.

The scary part is this was four years ago, I can't imagine how much worse it's gotten.

I used to be somebody now I'm somebody else. That hit me 🙏🏽

Thank you for narrating an exceptional take and shining a lense on the homelessness and neighbors in our localities who seem to take to you quite nicely and for all of the guest you included in this message and documentary of what it is like and giving them a voice in an arts district community where you have shot this feature piece!

This reporter is very kind, caring and considerate of these people. Thank you and God bless you for treating these fellow humans with respect.

I was a steelworker 20 years until they closed the plant and sold the machinery to Mexico. So I went for a college degree in computer programming. White collar IT employment was great for about 5 years until our jobs were downsized and outsourced to India. I was two weeks away from the sheriff's sale of my home when I was able to lock down a Chapter 13. These have been hard years that made permanent change to my priorities and values. If I had not washed up on the beach of early retirement, I would be homeless too. When I listen to these people speaking, I can hear my own words.

"So you see, you can be a police officer without being a jerk." What a bloody legend. Can we please have more of him.

This documentary was very well done and showed many aspects and angles for the housing crisis in Los Angeles. Lisa Biagiotti did a great job in making others feel comfortable with her questions and her general respect for them and their situations. Kudos to all involved. And yes, Office Joseph is a good man and exemplary police officer.

That police officer is a god damn hero. God bless that man. He’s a champ.

"I'm houseless - because I don't have a house. Homeless is a state of mind" - Khalil That's genuine streetwise poetry, right there mister!

Thank you for being human and recognizing those who have become invisible. I've been watching the you tube channel called Invisible People, where a man who was once homeless and gives voice to those who have none. I was wondering why more people don't expose the horrific conditions that millions of Americans are experiencing. Certainly main stream does not cover the magnitude of the situation. Thank you for not only covering it, but doing so with such compassion and kindness 🙏💚

This opened up my eyes tremendously this was beautifully done and the host was very empathetic and professional.

I am not sure if many of you noticed but the host did a really good job by not hurting anyone's feeling by randomly asking some questions about their lifestyle's but actually became a good friend with them to the point where the last guy actually told that she is gonna be his wife someday....

I used to be somebody. Now I'm somebody else. Wow. Heavy.

The comment the gentleman made “I used to be somebody…now I’m nobody,” broke my heart. That’s how I feel at 61, sick with Lupus and Spinal Arachnoiditis on SSDI. Lost my identity, my friends, many family members I miss dearly, but I have two amazing grownup children and four grandchildren whom I adore. Many times I had the thought of getting an older van to live in after I lost my health, my job, my marriage, my house and my dog and cat. Life is like a roller coast, we have highs and hard drops. Many prayers for all of the people who struggle daily, but still smiles when the sun rises.

It just shows that you must never judge others as you don't know their circumstances. Good luck to all those shown on this video.

*That Police Officer is the best thing Skid Row has. He's a good man, with good intentions. He's very well respected & deserves the respect he gets. If they put the wrong enforcement officer on that block, who isn't a solid person & is on that power trip we've all seen before, it could be a nightmare. God Bless him for doing what he does!*

That young man said I'm not homeless I'm houseless. His overall attitude tells me they're going to be alright. It's only a matter of time. By God's grace this too shall pass 🙏

So sad to see this young man living in his car but what he's doing is remarkable! 😊❤

Extraordinary interviews, the diversity of these individuals is very moving. I find the quality of the journalistic professionalism to be excellent. I love humanity for all of it's beautiful flaws and unique similarities. To the young man who was working voraciously on your goals with such drive and intention. I really hope you're living the best possible version of any life you could engineer through the intention of your noble aspirations and diligence. Life isn't linear and these interviews were conducted during pre-pandemic conditions. Since then, life has taken a quantum leap in many predictable and unpredictable ways as well. I hope you're all safe and well. "Native son of the "City of the Angels" 1962 ♥️🔥

I've just finished watching this doco, I can't help but feel disgusted and ashamed with myself. The opportunities that I take for granted and didn't take hold of and feeling sorry for myself over things in my life that is really so insignificant compared to these people. I waste my money, I lack ambition, I make so many dumb decisions and I'm blessed, shame on me. May God bless all these people. Louis Tse, done such a good job, built the student housing organisation while living in his car.

"You can be a police officer without being a Jerk" - Salute to you Officer Deon Joseph. The world needs more P.O's like you. #RESPECT

I was literally in tears watching this video hearing about everyone’s stories so heartbreaking

Such a cool, calm reporter, allows ppl to open up.. A different views on street life & homelessness.. Open my eyes..

“I have a high school diploma and a college degree” that is actually so terrifying to hear as a college student

The HOST was EXCELLENT!!!! I truly do not think just ANYONE could have done this. Only her with personal humanity could she have talked to so many different people and GET THEM TO TALK BACK. She has EARNED whatever award the TIMES has.

Lisa is the most humbled soul and beautiful I haven't seen in a while.thanks God bless all

My mother helped a young man who was working downtown Chicago. He lived for free at her rental as long as he took care of the grounds. Since then he graduated and has his own home. Before her help he was living in his car from another country. Homelessness can happen extremely fast in one of the richest countries. 🙏🏻to all of these folks.

I am a retired/disabled geriatric nurse and I am currently homeless. I am living in my van and sometimes I feel invisible. I am not on drugs, I don't drink.............don't even smoke. I have no family support and I live on my disability check of $800.00 a month. I can't afford a place to live , my van insurance, gas, medications and food too. I chose to have a roof over my head and some transportation, food and medicine. I can't figure out any other way. God bless you all.

Officer Josrph is a beautiful soul of a Law man. He sincerely seems to want to save lives God bless him. 🙏

As Europeans we are visiting LA and Hollywood at the moment after having traveled Latin-America for 5 months. On our travels we have never been as shocked and dumbfounded as here in LA. We are trying to understand how one of the richest countries in the world can let things get so bad. The number of homeless and often mentally-ill people is so incredibly high that we do not understand why it does not cause a nationwide outrage and a common effort to tackle these problems. We are seriously trying to understand why this is not happening. We have been talking to different people who live here in LA and have been watching documentaries on it. I really admire the way the host of this LA Times documentary approached homeless people showing so much respect and empathy. However, we are still at a loss to understand why this could have got so bad and so little seems to be done about it!

Every bad cop can learn from this guy. We need more of cops like him. He's humble , I'm sure he's saved so many lives.

I wish they would build more "tiny home" communities where people can pay less rent (no more than $200-$300 monthly) but have a nice, clean space to live with dignity. We live in such a greedy universe and everyone hurts for it.

Great reporter...she looks the homeless in the eye, gets on their level, shakes their hand, and smiles.

You can tell he’s a loved cop he walks through skid row without looking over his shoulder.

We need more public figures/servants/advocates like the police officer whos beat is skid row. That man is someone going beyond the call of duty. His profession is difficult yet he's still compassionate and realistic about what it is he upholds and the people who hes obviously had a profound impact. My hero sir.

To the officer on skid row, you're an amazing human being

I was adopted and as an adult began a search for my birth mother. In 2010, I found out that she had been living in Skid Row in Los Angeles after traveling there from Tucson, Arizona. (Where I was born) Unfortunately, I found her name listed on L.A. County's Unclaimed Person's Registry. My mother collapsed on a side walk in Skid Row and was rushed to a hospital. She died 2 weeks later. I have a special place in my heart for the homeless in Skid Row or anywhere. My dear mother was alone when she died and unclaimed for 7 years until I found her and called the person assigned to her case who removed her name off the list immediately. I wish I would've found her sooner and then maybe I could have helped her stay off the streets.

She has such a wonderful personality. She could make friends anywhere. A kind spirit!

Thanks so much for this documentation. The best, i've watched so far. You are showing those people for what they are, human beings and you threat them with respect. You listen to them and giving them a voice. I live in Germany, i' am 62 years old and i've been homeless two times when i was in young age. Every day i thank God and cherish my home. I know what live can be. Because i always want to understand thinks and i look also on the other side, i've been watching and looking videos about this homeless in the USA. I was married to an American and was supposed to go with him to the states, when i was in my twenty. Because already thinks wasn't going to good between us, i refused. Today i know i made the right decision with me being very sick. Thanks again and sending positive thoughts and wishes from Germany.

I'm blown away by this documentary. The Ph.D. candidate in engineering who has been homeless for a year, with no free time, but somehow making time to start up a youth shelter...what an extraordinary person. His humility, balance, sensitivity, and wisdom (not just intelligence) is breathtaking. OMG, I'm so touched by so many of these people. Truly we are broken in our USA society in how poorly we distribute our immense wealth. Some of the Scandinavian and European countries, I'm sure along with some others, get the idea of making sure that no one goes hungry and no one is homeless. Here, we think of these endeavors as "socialist," just like universal health care. Really, it does not have to be such a black or white model.

Makes me feel so lucky. I live in an apartment in UK all paid for by the government. I don't work because i have leukemia, my medication and healthcare are all paid by the National Health Service. This tells me there's something seriously wrong in LA and the U.S A. I wouldn't last two days out there, these people are so strong. Good to see all the dog owners no matter how life is treating them looking after their pets so well.

I stumbled onto this vid. Just letting youtube play. The policeman was fantastic. Ive never heard a policeman talk like that about his job, his friends on the row. Wow. What a man. Legend.

YOU ARE A SHINING AMAZING LIGHT MARK .... You honestly have had a profound effect on me ... I have always wanted to do the same as I have been there ... Thank you for giving the most insperational feeling Ive felt in a long time- Its time to make a change here too!!!!

Everyone single person in this documentary is a truly amazing human being. Everyone has a story everyone has a past these people are so strong and have amazing outlook on life, i wish them all the best on there journey in life

What an amazing Police officer May God bless him

THANKS LISA TO SHOW PEOPLE, THE REAL WOLD WE LEAVE IN.

Absolutely love the way she talks and makes people feel comfortable and happy! Thank you for the kind way of sharing this video with us 👍✌️😘

We lived in an apt in west Los Angeles. The owner of the bldg was a lovely woman who inherited the apt bldg and was a multi millionaire. She believed in passing on her good fortune to others and charged very reasonable rent. A real class act. Sadly she got too old to run the bldg so her family got an awful mgmt co. To take over. We were wrongfully evicted along with several other tenants. It was rent controlled. So they needed to vacate the units so they could Double the rent. It was disgusting. I was lucky. I was able to buy a house outside the city. My roommates were not so lucky and became homeless. Very sad. They had to stay in la to work. So they live behind the Ralph’s market now. I go back one week a month and get a motel and they pitch in So They get a roof for a week. The home I bought is 90 miles out of LA. So too far for them to go to work. Really sad. All just so some pathetic greedy inhuman ‘property mgr’. Could make brownie points. A story that has played out thousands of times in LA.

“I’m not homeless...I’m houseless, homeless is a state of mind” 🙌🏼

I was homeless in Milwaukee years ago. Well , there was a very nice fella once a week that used to feed the homeless at a park. This was out of his own pocket and probably at great cost for him. Well , along came a city worker and noticed that he didn't have all of the proper permits to be of help. Unfortunately he was stopped.

This documentary makes me want to do something for these people, watching this for my social work class and I definitely think helping the homeless is something I am interested in. I have experienced homelessness to an extent, not as much as the people in this documentary but I know what it is like to be cold outside overnight and stay in shelters for a period of time.

Love that UCLA guy living in his car, working on his PHD, helping the shelter people.

Beautiful work! You did such a great job of maintaining the peoples’ dignity!

This definitely deserves a sequel, A+ work

Lisa the respect that you have shown every individual you spoke to is moving. We don't see that too often. Thank you. You're officially my favorite journalist.

Cop seems like a genuinely good dude. Not just acting for the cam you can tell these people really like him and appreciate what he does for them.

That this is the world we live in… Im from Germany and this is unimaginable…

Lisa is so down to earth n gets right in amongst everything, she's so adorable!, great video!😄✌

I like how Lisa looks at them as human beings as they should be, her talking to them and giving them hugs, genuinely cares about them, bless her she's so sweet! Wishing these people she interviewed only the best, I have been homeless before it sucks.

It's such an eye opener, these people are so resourceful and brave when you consider how afraid they must be, especially at night. It's a full time job they have to find safe shelter, food, somewhere to wash and keep clean, and some of them then go to work. It really makes you stop and think.

I was born in San Diego, CA, adopted at 3, and raised by a good family in Texas, with no memory of my bio family. I was homeless for 20 years, starting from the age of 17 in Texas, then went to S.D., CA. I was kicked-out of home (I was a problem-child), but i got what i wished for (to get away, be free, live my own life, and to experience things). I was constantly in-and-out of jails and prisons (a total of 19 years of prison time), did drugs, crime, bumming, eating food from dumpsters, trash-cans, slept on side-walks, in restrooms, in dumpsters, tints, and anywhere else, and was completely emersed in that life-style and thrived, survived, and struggled and very down-and-out. I finally decided to do something with myself and life, got my GED, completed and graduated programs, and lived in sober-living places, but still struggled to get and keeps jobs, etc. At the age of 38, my saving grace and break from the dark cycle came when my biological mother and sister found me on F.B. and got in touch with me and I was able to go to Washington to be with them and get to know them and bond. Since then, I've been drug-free, off probation, off the streets, and have gotten jobs and my own place, an apartment. I'm now 41, and still am struggling with employment and bills and trying to maintain this good quality of life on my own (my mother passed away from cancer recently; we lived together for the 3 years that i've been here and shared the apartment), but me and my life is much better than before, for now at least.

Lisa Biagiotti... thankyou! You have a beautiful spirit, wonderful to see you connect! Just to think this is years ago... the homeless situation now is even worse... :( time for a follow up?

Thanks SO much for doing this documentary! I was homeless on the street in Sherman Oaks for a few years. We lived along the L.A. River (aqueduct) next to the freeway. I was born and raised in the valley and lived there over 40 years before I became homeless. The one thing that bothered me the most about it was becoming invisible. I was still the same person inside but because of the way I looked, or the fact that I was digging in the dumpster, people wouldn't look at me when I said "good morning". It was a difficult time in my life but the experience was priceless. It surely made me a better person. It was really hard at the beginning before I met the others that showed me the ropes....where to shower, how to recycle, where to get food, etc. I met some of the most creative, intelligent and wonderful people I've ever known out there. It has been 13 years since then, I'm back on my feet, working 40+ hours a week, paying bills and a mortgage ((sigh)). Thanks for this trip down memory lane. It made me smile.

Most ppl are couple of checks away from homelessness. Those that insult the homeless, beware.

Lisa is a sweetheart. She’s so kind and seems to care about people.

Lisa you are the street angel of Los Angeles...pray for all you guys who live on street 🙏

The cute Asian guy living in his car, working on starting a homeless shelter and his PHD. Truly motivating!

"I'm not homeless, I'm houseless. Homeless is a state of mind." That's so true. The word homeless is degrading and dehumanizing. Houselessness can happen to anyone.

Awesome documentary. Thanks for making it. I have learnt a lot.

Good job. So many people and so many stories. Very enlightening for someone like me.

This young lady doing the interviews has a sincere heart of gold. Giving hugs to random homeless people is something most of us would shy from. This is what must be rewarded in life. Not this useless dime a dozen “Intagram models”. Real woman right here ladies and gentlemen.

I’m generally not in favor of cloning but Officer Joseph is an exception. Please make more of him in police departments.

Louis Tse at 30:00 is literally working at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) now. If people aren't aware that's probably the place where, on average, all the smartest people in the US are. SpaceX lands its rockets using the G-FOLD algorithm, the theory behind it was discovered at JPL and brought to SpaceX by someone who had worked there. What an amazing human being

I relocated to a state to be closer to my children. Lived in a shelter for 6 months before landing a job at this community college I was using as a resource. Free computers, library, gym showers etc. I even sat in classes of interest just to pick up some knowledge. Eventually the school hired me. Soon after I got a second job as an assistant coach. From there I started a summer program for kids through a local park district. After saving up money I got an apartment where I could spend time with my kids and be a factor in their lives. This was in 2012. Currently, I am finishing my degree in business, working at a bank, coaching my now highschool kids and president of a homeless shelter in the area. I didn't drink, fight smoke or treat anyone indifferent while In the shelters. If anything, I learned about a world most others shun and judge. And I found my calling in this Life.

This is so we'll done. I love how she interacts with people giving them respect, understanding, and compassion. 💜💜💜

10:35 when the sisters say "im warning you, he talks alot of nonsense" . but then he proceeds to drop a lot of factual data about homless statistics.

Thank you for this video, Lisa. You did a good job. I like the way you address the "homeless people" always with respect and friendliness. These people do what they can to make the best out of life. Some are sad and seem to be somehow lost and it's great that they care for each other. The people you interviewed are all beautiful human beings inside and outside. God bless them. I live in Europe. We have social systems here to help poor people. The negative side of it is that people get more money from the government than by working for a salary, as the social levies are the highest in the world in Germany. But system of social welfare cannot be be controlled.

I was totally impressed with all that went on in this video every one was treated with dignity and respect the officer was very awesome everyone was very much in need of a little bit of love and a place to call home this I believe is the only thing that was missing !!!God Bless each and everyone in this place my love and prayers goes to all!!!❤️❤️🙏❤️❤️🙏❤️❤️❤️

“Life is not hard, it’s just a challenge.” Truest words ever spoken.

Officer Deon Joseph..wow!..what an amazing human being..your are exactly what these people need..your compassion is so genuine..what an inspiration you are.watching this segment with you makes me want to reach out and help..I believe you single handedly change more lives then the entire system does..what an inspiration!!..you are truly one of kind..god blesss you and I know he keeps you safe..wow!!!

Thank you so much for doing this period it has really touched my heart and I am viewing the homeless differently. I wish I knew how to help

I loved this for many reasons. Thank you

San Francisco has a huge homeless population. Rent is high. $3k for a one bedroom apartment. I know two people living in a van. And they work at Twitter.