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SAITAMA: "I would have ended up on the street without help," said a 42-year-old man, who had been living on the street for many years before he was provided social aid for intellectually disabled person two years ago.
The man, who finds it difficult to explain things and manage his own living costs, applied for the state's welfare benefits for intellectually disabled person with the assistance from nonprofit organization the Hot Pot.
According to the man and the organization, the man started working for a restaurant owned by a relative after finishing junior high school. However, he found it difficult to keep up with the job and quit six months later. He returned to his parents' apartment and got married at the age of 28. After his parents died, the man and his wife were forced out of their home after they failed to pay the rent. The family became homeless when he was 33 years old, and their three young children were taken to a care home.
He and his wife started to sleep in the park or under the bridge in Saitama. Although he found a live-in job, he did not last long as it was difficult for him to keep up with his colleagues. His wife was diagnosed with a mental disability when she was hospitalized, and is now living in a welfare facility.
The man continued to live on the street alone until three years ago, when he was introduced to the Hot Pot by a local volunteer group and started receiving support from them. He is currently living in a facility run by the organization and receiving the government's welfare money. The members of the group assist him with daily life and job search.
"The government and nonprofit organizations need to provide comprehensive support," said Takanori Fujita, 27, a representative of the Hot Pot.
Source: http://mdn.mainichi.jp

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