Megan Ryan, four months pregnant, lives in an outdoor shelter in Hamilton, a precarious situation heightened by her fear of losing her newborn to foster care. Previously homeless for over a year, Ryan faced eviction and separation from her five children. Describing her struggles with past trauma, alcoholism, and mental health, she articulates the dire need for more supportive housing options for pregnant women and families in similar situations. Additionally, she highlights the lack of accessible services for those facing homelessness in Hamilton.
"That's what I'm terrified of," said Ryan. "And I don't know how I'll deal with that. I really don't."
"It came down to paying the bills or buying groceries, so I stopped paying the bills," she said.
"Two years, that's a long time. I want my kids back. I've been trying."
In Hamilton, there are few housing options specifically for unhoused pregnant people and their children to live together until they can find permanent housing.
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