James Story: Life in the Shadows–9 Months Homeless in Colusa

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(July 28, 2025) - In late 2023, James was a full-time working man, self-sufficient and contributing to his community. But then, in a cruel twist of fate, he became a victim of crime: his car was stolen and  he was assaulted.

This violent act was just the beginning of a rapid, devastating descent. With only liability insurance, he lost his sole means of transportation—and with it, his employment, which required a 30-minute commute.

Losing his job meant he couldn't pay rent, leading to his roommate asking him to move out, so another person could move in. His entire stable life, meticulously built, was ripped away in less than six months.

The profound trauma of the crime impacted James mental health. He spiraled into deep insecurity and depression, desperately trying to cope. James sofa surfed where he could but ultimately took up residence in an old abandoned van. This led to a brief, misguided period of isolation and self-medication, which only intensified his suffering and worsened his already dire situation.

James made his way here from Yuba City in search of a community with less crime and has remained unhoused for nine long months in Colusa County. His desperation is palpable, a raw plea for help that resonates with every word: "I've pretty much lost hope that the system will help me," he says. " I'm just another homeless, out-of-work guy, who is struggling, and no one is listening".

James starkly describes the harsh reality on the ground: "Colusa is a beautiful city but a bad place to be if you're homeless and need help to secure housing or resources," he says. "There aren't even showers available here, only the river to wash-up in or a quick bird bath at a gas station."

He recounts the bleak dismissal from local housing specialists: "I spoke with a county housing specialist who told me they had  NO FUNDING AVAILABLE."

He reveals a chilling belief held by some within Colusa's unhoused community: "If you're a man and encamped near the river, you're not likely to get any housing help,” James reports. 

Despite the crushing setback, James clings to a vital goal: "My immediate goal is to get into some kind of transitional living, shelter, or supportive housing, where I can shower, seek employment, and connect with others."

"We wish to thank James for sharing his story," says Susan Wagenaar of Colusa County Recovery. It took courage to do so. ” She adds: “Glaring systemic gaps like this one have become commonplace in our county and around the state."

Billions Spent on Homelessness:

California has spent approximately $24 billion on homelessness initiatives over the past five years, according to a state audit. Yet, homelessness in California has reached record highs in recent years.

The number of homeless individuals in the Golden State is the largest in the nation, with over 187,000 people experiencing homelessness in 2024. This figure is based on the Point-in-Time count, a federally mandated census of sheltered and unsheltered homelessness conducted in January of last year. 

Closing Thoughts:

CCR has made a standing offer to transport James to Glenn or Butte county, and plans to reach out to Partnership Healthplan of California to connect him with ‘community supports’ offered through Medi-Cal’s CalAIM program, if he chooses to remain in Colusa.

Wagenaar also reports that they have reached out to the lead agency that represents the 'Dos Rios' Continuum of Care, who serves Colusa, Glenn and Trinity counties, regarding the unpresidented number of unhoused people being told NO FUNDING AVAILABLE in Colusa County.

"We are waiting to hear back from them," says Wagenaar. "Our homeless residents deserve answers."

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