The New Homeless: Part 3
Thu, Dec 9, 2010 (2 a.m.)
Freelance writer Rodger Jacobs and his girlfriend Lela Michael moved to Las Vegas from California in 2007 to take care of Rodger's terminally ill mother, and when the recession hit, they ran out of money to move back home. The couple is now living in a weekly rate residential hotel after being kicked out of their North Las Vegas home in August when they fell behind on their rent. You can see their court hearing in the Weekly's Part 1 video. After their move, which the Weekly documented in the Part 2 video, Rodger set a goal of moving back to Los Angeles by November 15, 2010. Now past their deadline and still living in the Budget Suites residential hotel, Rodger reflects on what's keeping them here and his new routine of work, walks and the occasional margarita, and Lela has begun volunteer work on a mission to improve her self-esteem for what she hopes will be a happy reunion with her family in California sometime in the future.