While mini encampments often get swept along train tracks in Reno, these often pop up again.
One of those there who reporter Dani DeRosa found on a recent icy day was Jr. whose life story is marked by losing his mother, sister and girlfriend, and bad health.
He says he’s experienced homelessness on and off for seven years after having a stroke.
"That really screwed me up. I had to relearn how to speak, walk… I was choking on water,” he remembers.
"I'm not looking for a handout. I'm looking for a hand up,” he said, while adding he needs to get money to start the process to get into the Social Security system to receive payments. He gave a figure of $140.
"I'm having a hard time staying warm,” he said of the current winter. He says the fire department recently came out to his camp to put out the small fire he had made to get some much needed heat.