From Homelessness to Home

How Compassion and Support Helped Bob Rebuild His Life

It was a cold, rainy night as Bob stood outside Mission Services’ Men’s Shelter. Soaked to the bone, Bob had been in this place before, being turned away from shelters with no beds available. This time, Bob had had enough.

“I had made up my mind that it was going to be the last time that I asked,” he said. “I couldn’t do this anymore. I’d been on the street before, and I didn’t want to do it again.”

Homeless since he had lost his job and apartment and unable to stay with family, Bob had spent the previous nights on friends’ couches and sleeping in unlocked garden sheds. Little did Bob know, but his life was about to change forever that night.

The front door of the Men’s Shelter opened, and one of the staff members greeted him with a warm smile and seven words that Bob will never forget.

“He said, ‘Bob, we have a space for you,’ and I couldn’t believe it. I had given up hope.”

Bob had never been inside a shelter before, and had no idea what to expect. Raised to be self-sufficient, he wasn’t used to asking for help.

“I was nervous, because I’m not someone who asks for help. I was taught to be independent,” he said. “I didn’t know how much I could ask for, so I just asked if I could have a bottle of water and a hot shower, but they had a bed all ready for me. I slept so well that first night!”

As Bob settled in to life in the shelter, staff referred him to Housing UP, Mission Services’ rapid rehousing support program. Founded in 2020, Housing Up helps shelter clients and unhoused people who are referred to their program. They assist in overcoming barriers and work with them to find housing and stay housed long term.

“Housing UP’s primary responsibility is helping people to get housed,” said Reinaldo da Silva, director of Housing UP. “We don’t actually provide the housing ourselves, but instead we guide the client through the housing process, including obtaining documentation, filling out housing applications, talking with landlords, and getting on the Access to Housing waitlist.”

Housing UP is a unique program in Canada, and staff have presented at several housing and homelessness seminars across the country over the past five years. Since the program’s inception in 2020, Housing UP has helped 588 unique individuals secure permanent housing. Reinaldo attributes the program’s success to its highly personalized approach.

“Each client has their own specific needs. What we do for one client may be completely different than for another. We develop a case plan specifically for working with that client, and that’s what has helped make it so successful.”

In Bob’s case, that began with getting his disability cheques sorted out and his health conditions managed. From there, the next step was housing.

“I had a good job, and was making good money in the trades. I was a homeowner for 30 years, and then one day everything fell down,” Bob said. “I would love to be able to go back to work, but my body won’t let me.”

Bob’s homelessness journey started when he was laid off from his work, and his deteriorating health didn’t allow him to get another job. His situation alienated him from family members, and he ended up at the front door of Mission Services’ Men’s Shelter, where our story began. Once he joined the Housing UP program, everything changed for him.

“From the first day they heard my story, they were there for me, and worked hard to help me get a place,” Bob said. “They treated me like I was somebody.

After a few months of working with Housing UP, Bob was able to secure a geared-to-income studio apartment overlooking the harbour.

“It’s a small place, but I love it. It has a beautiful view. It’s better than I ever could have expected. My dog Lucy loves it, too, and it’s just the right size for the two of us. I couldn’t ask for anything more in life. I have it all now.”

Once clients have secured housing, staff from Housing UP continue to follow up with them for up to two years, ensuring that they have the tools needed to remain housed.

“Even though I’m not directly in the Housing UP program anymore, they still check up on me from time-to-time,” Bob said. “I have a roof over my head, I can cook for myself, and it has permanence to it. I’m never going to be on the street again. This is my home now, and I know I have good people to help make sure of that.”

Since he has found housing, Bob has been able to reconnect with his estranged family, and now sees his children several times a year.

“They’re very proud of me stepping up and asking for help. Once I did, look where it got me.”