A former Filipino caregiver in the US is among the many ordinary people now homeless after being affected by the recession, ABS-CBN North America News Bureau reported.

Alberto Mayor has been homeless for five months now since he lost his job as a caregiver and his working visa.

“Yung mga naipundar ko na mga alahas noong may trabaho ako, wala na. Naibenta ko na lahat, kailangang mong mabuhay, kumain,” Mayor said.

Mayor lived a fairly comfortable life as a seaman and as an overseas Filipino worker in Saudi Arabia.

When he was still working, Mayor lived a suburban life in the Bay Area. Now that he is penniless, Mayor carries all his possessions in his backpack and sleeps in the mini-buses in the city.

“Ang sabi ko sa pamilya, ko uuwi na ko. Nahihirapan na ako,” he said.

The US Department of Housing and Development said that since the recession began, more families and individuals who used to live in the suburbs and rural areas are now homeless.

“Lalo na yung mga Pilipino. Actually, marami sa kanila ang nawalan na ng trabaho, at salamat naman at nandito kami dahil kahit papaano, nakakatulong kami sa kanila,” said Juvy Barbonia, Case Manager of Canon Kip Senion Center.

Mayor found help at the Canon Kip Senior Center. Barbonia helps him find housing and employment and a decent meal.

“Sakripisyo talaga,” Mayor added.

However, despite the hardships he faces, Mayor is determined on pursuing his American dream. Report from Henni Espinosa, ABS-CBN North America News Bureau