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Leaving Homelessness Behind Is Not Without Its Challenges, Even With A 'Golden Ticket'

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(Credit Gabriel Spitzer)
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Kristi Hamilton in her new home.

This story originally aired on May 28, 2016.

Kristi Hamilton had hit rock bottom. After the passing of her mother, repossession of her house, and a long stretch of severe drug and alcohol abuse, she found herself homeless. She found herself sleeping anywhere she could — a friend's house, her car, shelters, or behind a grocery store. But between a renewed faith and winning what is the equivalent of a lottery ticket if you are homeless, Hamilton pulled herself out of the darkness, and returned to a life filled with sobriety and a roof over her head.

It was not without it's challenges, however. Despite being awarded a housing choice voucher (better known as a Section 8 voucher), many rental buildings were resistant to approving someone with Hamilton's background. She had multiple evictions, as well as some misdemeanors on her record. She called and visited "hundreds" of locations before she found one that would let her move in.

Now, with a permanent address, Hamilton is embracing a life that she never thought she would have again — one with a roof over her head, and an alcohol and drug free life. 

Kevin began his career at KNKX in 2003, where his first responsibility was to eradicate the KNKX Jazz Library from all Smooth Jazz CD’s. Since then there is not much at KNKX he hasn’t done. Kevin has worked as a full time jazz host, news host, and has hosted, at least once, almost every single program on KNKX. Kevin currently produces 88.5's weekly show Sound Effect. Kevin has conducted or produced hundreds of interviews, has won local and national awards for newscasts and commentary, and helped make the KNKX Grocery Tote famous.
Gabriel Spitzer is a former KNKX reporter, producer and host who covered science and health and worked on the show Sound Effect.

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