Rickey Johnson, 62, unpacks a few items from a backpack, including ramen, a beverage, and a pair of Fila sandals on Feb. 17, 2020. Johnson was in prison for murder before experiencing homelessness. He says he killed a man who had raped his younger sister.
Rickey Johnson, 62, lays in a bunk before going to bed at the Austin Resource Center for the Homeless on Feb. 17, 2020. Johnson was commenting on how folks treat him like "garbage" because he's homeless and gives examples of interactions with passersby.
Bunkbeds reflect in a window looking out at downtown Austin from the Austin Resource Center for the Homeless on Feb. 17, 2020.
Rickey Johnson, 62, walks to work after visiting friends at the Austin Resource Center for the Homeless, also known as the ARCH, on March 5, 2020. Johnson recently received housing after living in and outside of the ARCH.
Rickey Johnson, 62, cleans pieces of a pizza oven his job on Feb. 18, 2020. Johnson was holding a cup for money on 6th street when a manager offered him a job. He has been a dishwasher for the past few weeks. Johnson has been staying at the Austin Resource Center for the Homeless for about a year. He is in the Guided Path Program and will receive housing the following week. The Guided Path Program uses a housing first model and will pay an individual’s rent and some of their utilities.
Rickey Johnson, 62, says goodbye to Alexandra Gomez, a case manager at Front Steps, on Feb. 25, 2020, before moving into an apartment.
Rickey Johnson, 62, looks for food at Walmart after moving into an apartment on Feb. 25, 2020. Rachel Fritz, permanent housing case manager for Front Steps, helps Johnson keep track of how much he's spending and what items he'll need for his new home. Fritz says when she takes people who recently got out of homelessness to the grocery story for the first time that they're often overwhelmed and unsure of what to purchase.
Rickey Johnson, 62, carries all of his personal belongings to a garage at the Austin Resource Center for the Homeless on Feb. 25, 2020, before moving into his new apartment.
Rickey Johnson, 62, looks up at the ceiling with watery eyes and thanks God after signing a lease for an apartment on Feb. 25, 2020.
Rickey Johnson, 62, excitedly walks into an apartment that he just signed a lease for on Feb. 25, 2020.
Rickey Johnson, 62, poses for a portrait in his new apartment after receiving housing for the first time in years on March 10, 2020. Johnson said he was so overwhelmed that he slept on the floor for two days before going into his bed.
Rickey Johnson, 62, organizes his new apartment after moving in that day on Feb. 25, 2020. Johnson has been homeless since about 2006. Johnson says he hopes to have his grandbabies visit in a few months after he settles in.