Returning Citizens

by Contributing Author

story and photos by Andrew Anderson

The U.S. has the highest incarceration rate of any independent democracy in the world, with a rate of 580 per 100,000 residents, according to a 2026 report by the criminal justice reform nonprofit Prison Policy Initiative. Every year, hundreds of people are released from prison with little or no resources. Many face an uphill battle reintegrating into society. Many of those people released from prison face homelessness and other obstacles such as family reunification,

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Editor’s Note: An Honor Just to be Nominated

by TJ Johnston

illustration by Solange Cuba

Street Sheet recognized for community organizing of people living in vehicles

It is with great pleasure to announce that Street Sheet was nominated for an award at the International Network of Street Papers (INSP) for its coverage of San Francisco’s RV parking ban and the push to organize vehicle dwellers while guiding them through a new permitting process.

Street Sheet made the shortlist in the Best Campaign category,

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The Kindness Influencers

by Contributing Author

By Veera Vehkasalo

Content about helping people experiencing poverty and homelessness is trending on social media. But is that a good thing?

“I feel like a horrible mom.” A young woman with a stroller wrapped in blankets is crying in the video. They are standing in front of a store on a street in Minnesota, US. It is winter. There is a one-year-old child in the stroller,

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Remembering Terry Messman

by Contributing Author

by Street Spirit staff

He was a lifelong advocate  advocate for peace, justice and the people whose voices are often left unheard 

Terry Messman, the founding editor of Street Spirit, passed away on May 10, 2026 at the age of 74. His family and friends are planning a celebration of life for him later this year. We will share details when a date is confirmed.

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“I Could See Pieces of the Puzzle But Not the Big Picture”

by Contributing Author

by Adriane Dietrich

Trott-war: I’m very excited to hear what you have to say. Before we get started, a simple but very important question: How are you?

Lea: I’m doing well! A lot has changed since back then. Above all, a lot of things have settled; four years ago, it was all new and different. I still didn’t know where all this was going to take me.

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How ICE Deportations are Impacting People Experiencing Homelessness in DC 

by Contributing Author

By Katie Doran and Annemarie Cuccia

Photo by Madi Koesler

Last summer, a DC resident was looking for apartments to rent with his newly received housing voucher. The man, who Street Sense is not identifying to protect his family’s privacy and the outreach organization that he worked with, was born in El Salvador. His parents brought him to the US more than 20 years ago,

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Holly Norris Didn’t Choose to be Homeless

by Contributing Author

story and photos by Giles Clasen

Holly Norris, 73, has lived unsheltered for more than a decade. Her story cuts through one of the most common myths about homelessness: that people living on the streets choose to be there.

Holly Sue Norris counts blankets the way other people count hours of sleep.

As winter settles in, staying alive outside often comes down to layers and luck.

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SOS: The Size of Stigma

by Contributing Author

by NS

The following article is part of INSP’s Changing the Narrative series. It has been written as the result of the new journalism training academy, established in 2025 by INSP to provide people with direct experience of homelessness and poverty the opportunity to learn about journalism and the media, and to enhance their storytelling and written abilities. The training academy has two ambitions: to challenge media and public misconceptions about homelessness;

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Freedom is Fundamental: Resisting the New Poor Farms

by Contributing Author

story and photo by Cathleen Williams

“I cannot live without my freedom, and I will not live without freedom,” says Street Sheet vendor Jessica in Sacramento. Here, she sits with Felipe.

Freedom of movement is a fundamental right of residents on American soil. The right extends to all, including people who live outside on our streets and open public spaces. 

It’s a bedrock principle, embedded in our consciousness and our culture,

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Handle with Care: The Risks Involved with Lived Experience

by Contributing Author

by David Pentland

The following article is part of INSP’s Changing the Narrative series. It has been written as the result of the new journalism training academy, established in 2025 by INSP to provide people with direct experience of homelessness and poverty the opportunity to learn about journalism and the media, and to enhance their storytelling and written abilities. The training academy has two ambitions: to challenge media and public misconceptions about homelessness;

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