How a homeless man managed to save up to pay for an apartment
A former homeless man has just paid his first month of rent after working with a pilot program which pays homeless people to pick up trash across the city.
Roy, from Arkansas, saved all the money he earned through the Bridge to Work program, which is run by the Little Rock City Board. The scheme pays homeless people the minimum wage for picking up rubbish.
Canvas community, the church which is in charge of the Bridge to Work program, shared a photo of Roy to Facebook, something he wanted to show others “what can be done”.
“This step today launches the rest of his life plan,” Canvas Community wrote on Facebook.
“Now that he’s inside, he can stay clean and feel confident to finish barber school (his passion).”
According to the post, Roy will continue to work for Bridge to Work once a month, until he completes barber school.
When he completes barber school, his rent will be based off his income.
The Bridge to Work program launched at the start of 2019 and was initially meant to only be a six-month program, however, Little Rock City Board voted to extend the program for another year to determine how effective it is.
The board unanimously voted to approve the $235,396 needed to extend the program.
According to AP News, more than 450 participants have helped clean up more than 130 sites throughout the city and collected more than 2,000 bags of rubbish.
In September it was reported 13 people managed to get full time jobs through the program.
Kathy Webb, a city board member said the program works because it gives people the opportunity to work and move into homes.
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