HOME SWEET HOMELESS

In 2003 Patrizia became a part of the one billion, six hundred thousand people who hardly manage to find decent accommodation in the world.

Once divorced Patrizia lost not only her house but also the love of her two sons, Marco and Michele. Then, finally, she lost part of her own identity, but never her dignity as a human being. «Good God! Nobody wants to follow in my footsteps – she says – because most couldn’t handle it. How can I explain? They call me one of the “living dead”. It is like being dead as I only live in this world in the flesh. Not everyone could do it». Her family doesn’t want to have anything to do with her anymore. She spends her days in her confined surroundings, sometimes talking about moments and memories that she truly experienced and others of things that are only figments of her imagination. Patrizia always lives alone, although, every so often Carlo, another homeless person who lives in “Termini Station” in Rome, goes to Velletri to keep her company. At first Patrizia slept in the street, then in an old car and now, after six years, in a little roulotte that she received as a gift from a big-hearted woman. Today the Red Cross and Caritas help her out with provisions, while she gets a modest subsidy from the social service councillorship of Rome. Only recently she got a council house.

Patrizia stands in front of her mirror in the vicinity of the train station. Velletri, Italy 2007. © Matteo Bastianelli

Patrizia hugs her friend Carlo. Velletri, Italy 2009. © Matteo Bastianelli

Patrizia is seen going back to her car after bumming cigarettes off commuters at the train station. Velletri, Italy 2008. © Matteo Bastianelli

A small reproduction of Charlie Chaplin next to Patrizia’s flats. Velletri, Italy 2010. © Matteo Bastianelli

Patrizia, in a moment of discouragement, is seen next to her fridge, in front of the train station. Velletri, Italy 2009. © Matteo Bastianelli

Patrizia is seen between the rails pretending to be an angel. Velletri, Italy 2009. © Matteo Bastianelli

Patrizia is seen on the balcony of the hospital where I was hospitalized for surgery. She was all dressed up to come to visit me. Velletri, Italy 2010. © Matteo Bastianelli

Old photos of Patrizia’s children. She hasn’t seen them for years. Velletri, Italy 2008. © Matteo Bastianelli

Patrizia is seen in the car where she had been living since she became homeless. Velletri, Italy 2009. © Matteo Bastianelli

Shadows on the wall in front of Patrizia’s car. Velletri, Italy 2009. © Matteo Bastianelli

Patrizia inside a photo booth. Velletri, Italy 2009. © Matteo Bastianelli

Patrizia in the foreground and the train station at night in the background. Velletri, Italy 2009. © Matteo Bastianelli

Patrizia puts the duvet in her car while two passers-by are seen in the vicinity of the train station. Velletri, Italia 2009. © Matteo Bastianelli

Patrizia builds a fire to keep warm at night. Velletri, Italy 2010. © Matteo Bastianelli

Patrizia is seen in front of a parking lot in the vicinity of the train station. Velletri, Italy 2009. © Matteo Bastianelli

A train stopped on the tracks at the station of Velletri in a rainy night. Velletri, Italy 2009. © Matteo Bastianelli

Patrizia is about to wear her flats. Velletri, Italy 2009. © Matteo Bastianelli

Patrizia is seen in front of the train station. In 2003 she became an homeless. Velletri, Italy 2009. © Matteo Bastianelli

Patrizia flips out during the night. Velletri, Italy 2009. © Matteo Bastianelli

Laundry shadows on the wall around a parking lot where Patrizia used to live. Velletri, Italy 2008. © Matteo Bastianelli

Patrizia is hiding herself. Velletri, Italy 2010. © Matteo Bastianelli

Patrizia is seen dancing at night. Velletri, Italy 2009. © Matteo Bastianelli

Patrizia is seen in front of a caravan she received as a present from a friend. She had been living at the station since a couple of years ago when she got a council house. Velletri, Italy 2011.

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