Troy’s death in Third Ward is reminder that some of us live, die in shadows
Troy was our neighborhood homeless guy. He lived in a city park next to the basketball courts.
We never knew his full name, his age or his story, even. But when his body was found a few miles away under a bridge in December, his life became a reminder that some people live and die in the shadows.
Troy would make shelter out of our community signs, blankets — anything he could find. Most days, he’d be sitting on a bench or walking around in the park, even in the rain.
Sometimes, he would talk to himself loudly, like a preacher on Sunday. But when his mind was more settled, he talked about politics and the state of the world. Not sure how he kept up with current events.
Troy would ask neighbors if he could do menial work, like rake leaves, for food. He didn’t bother anybody personally, really, but his mound of belongings that stretched out across the grassy entrance to the park was an annoyance to many in the neighborhood.
Some neighbors tried to help Troy get off the streets. They attempted to get him housing, but he always returned to the park, using dirty clothes and posters for shelter.
“No matter how many times you walked by the park, Troy was there,” said Mable Sheppard, who lives in the area and often gave Troy food and water. “You just feel bad because you’re not supposed to go hungry or be homeless. He had a lot of issues to deal with, like food insecurity, homelessness, mental illness. It’s just a sad story.”
Once, Troy was moved out of the park by city workers. He settled on the sidewalk across the street and created a large compound in front of a townhome complex. Residents did not appreciate that.
By Sheppard’s best guess, Troy roamed the Third Ward area for two decades. His mother lived in a home near the park at one point. He lived with her, but she sent him packing after they had a falling out, Sheppard said. His mental instability was always an issue.
“When his mind was right, he was sharp as a whistle. My dogs got out a few times, and he found them for me. He knew everyone and would say, ‘Hey, Ms. Mable,’ every time he saw me,” she said.
One neighbor bought Troy a jacket during a cold snap. When he lost it, he became so distraught the neighbor got him another one, which he wore proudly.
Because Troy didn’t want a different life, or a better life, it was to hard to know how to help him. Housing isn’t the only answer to homelessness.
Houston has been lauded nationally for reducing its number of people living without homes by more than half since 2011. By offering them housing, the city has helped more than 21,000 people find homes since 2012. It has taken a coordinated effort of more than 100 government entities, nonprofit organizations and community stakeholders through the Coalition for the Homeless’ The Way Home effort.
Still, there are those like Troy who live on streets by choice. Maybe they’ve lost faith in people who were supposed to help them and didn’t. Maybe they struggle with mental health issues, too.
“In many ways, we’re in the business of dignity,” said James Gonzalez, director of programs for the coalition. “Someone doesn’t need to be housed to be treated with dignity. Everyone has choices about their life. … We don’t always get to know the reasons why someone chooses to stay where they are or the traumatic life experiences that lead to that decision. Our job is to be there.”
There have been many people without homes who have migrated through our area. Some take up panhandling at intersections, and others find their way into our alleys or under bridges to set up temporary shelter.
Most don’t stay long. Troy was different. Third Ward was his home.
“I used to drive my grand sons around the park so they could see Troy and see what can happen in the blink of an eye,” Sheppard said. “It breaks my heart because that corner of the park is not the same anymore.”
In the last few months of his life, Troy moved from the park to an area a few miles away. I saw him once sleeping in a vacant lot near a busy intersection off Scott Street. Another time, I saw him walking across the Scott Street bridge. He looked thinner than I remembered.
Neighbors said he had been ill but refused to get medical treatment.
Troy’s body was found under the bridge near North MacGregor Way, and his cause of death is pending, according to medical examiner records.
He was born James Harris and died at age 60.
“It’s a good thing that people, not just us, are uncomfortable with someone dying on the streets,” Gonzalez said. “That means we still have empathy, compassion and hope.”