Ron, 42

Rohnert Park, CA

Homeless: 2016 – Present

Tell me a little bit about yourself.

Ron, 42, Rohnert Park CA (currently). Altogether, I would say nearing 6 years homeless. I have not had to resort to stealing any hygiene products. But I can say that I have gone without hygiene products like toothpaste when I ran out and couldn't immediately get some. I'm not about to get arrested over toothpaste.

Were you ever in a situation where you didn’t have access to basic necessities; including oral hygiene products, deodorant, shampoo, body wash, or menstrual care items?

Yes to all three during COVID but it was not so bad before. You get a gym membership at a place like planet fitness. $10/month and you can shower as often as you want. Dollar general for a bottle of shampoo and multi pack of toothbrushes. When the gyms closed I took bottle showers in summer.

Did you ever not know the next time you would be able to brush your teeth or take a shower?

Take two 2-liter soda bottles clean out. Fill with water and leave out in the sun. After they’ve warmed up, put on a bottle cap with a small hole in middle, squeeze bottle and you've got a portable shower. In the winter I'd go into bathroom stalls with a bit of wet paper towels and give myself a quick wipe down. After COVID, hand sanitizer was everywhere.

Did you ever frequent homeless shelters or churches, hoping they might be able to provide those hygiene necessities?

I've got a little bottle I fill with a couple pumps every chance I get. Hand sanitizer will kill foot odor and pretty much all your BO right quick, but mind that it burns if you put it on sensitive areas.