ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Homelessness is a challenge faced by thousands of New Yorkers. And as the temperature drops, the need for shelter increases.

A man struggling with homelessness says he found himself on the streets of Rochester about a year ago. Most recently, he had been staying at the Loomis Street encampment with other members of the homeless community, but was ousted from the site last week when the city of Rochester cleared the area. Now, he stays at what’s known as Peace Village; another homeless encampment in Rochester.

Scott, who wants his last name kept private, says he is struggling with homelessness for the first time in his life. The 48-year-old grew up and went to school in neighboring Greece. He left the area and circumstances led him back to his hometown, but he says he has no place to stay.

What You Need To Know

  • A homeless man describes the challenges of living on the streets of Rochester

  • Scott lived at the Loomis Street encampment with other members of the homeless community, but was ousted from the site last week when the city cleared the area

  • Now Scott stays at what’s known as Peace Village -- another homeless encampment in Rochester.

“This is the first time being homeless and I guess it could happen to anybody," said Scott.

Scott says he does not have a drug addiction problem, but recognizes that he’s suffering from some sort of PTSD or trauma.

“Well I’m homeless, there’s got to be something going on there. That’s what people tell me," said Scott who says he knows he’s far from alone. “This is going on all over America.

“I mean this is bad, this is real bad. This is disgusting, this is horrible. The people here, everything. Dude, there’s tons of rats out here. It’s totally disgusting. I can’t even sleep at night. But this is the option I have. I came here when they kicked us out of Loomis and they said ‘just find a spot,’ and I just looked around and I’m like, 'oh my God.'”

But Scott said he does his best with the makeshift setup, with his minimal belongings.

“So I just put a tent inside of this thing. It’s disgusting living here. I’ve never experienced this."

Scott has two small bags and some blankets. He said he has tried to get services and a job, but so far it’s not working.

“I've worked my whole life, paid taxes and now they're telling me they can’t help me. But once you become homeless, you get caught in this mess and it takes a long time to get out of that mess," said Scott who is one of the many homeless people living on the city’s streets. “They need to help these people. They really do. I mean people can’t live like this.”

It is an emotional time for Scott, he said.

"You know it’s just been a tough ride. I’ve got faith though, I believe in God. So I’m going to get out of this mess. Hopefully," he said.

Last week, Rochester Mayor Malik Evans responded to criticism over the decision to remove some homeless camps in the city.

Evans said those areas need to be cleaned up to benefit both the homeowners in the area and to help the homeless get the services they need. Local officials add that drug use has been a problem at some of those sites with a woman dying at the Loomis Street encampment two weekends ago.

"We have individuals who do not live in that neighborhood, who are not experiencing drug deals, fights and violence trying to tell the residents who actually live there how they should live their lives," said Evans.