For over 10 years James had no fixed address. For a month or two, he might find a place to live, but it soon deteriorated into a crack house. Occasionally, he would stay in a shelter. But for the most part the 44-year-old man camped in Green Timbers Urban Forest in Surrey.

James is one of 30 formerly homeless people who have been given a place to live at a BC Housing site in Surrey as part of the Province’s Homelessness Intervention Project. HIP is a cross-government initiative of outreach, housing and supports focussed on the chronically homeless – long-term homeless clients with mental health issues and/or addictions. James moved into his new home in September 2010.

“I was really disconnected from society while I was homeless,” said James. “I was born into a family of alcoholics and addicts and became one myself at an early age. Addictions take you away from family and friends.”

In less than a year, James has turned his life around, thanks to stable housing and the supports put in place through HIP. Working with a Pacific Community Resources Society counsellor, James has returned to school. He recently completed a basic counselling skills course and will be taking other prerequisites with the goal of enrolling in Vancouver Community College’s Community Counselling and Addictions program in September 2011.

“Part of my recovery plan is to become more involved in the community,” said James. “I’ve reconnected with my family. I’m more proactive and I’ve seen a big improvement in my health and hygiene.”

He summed up what HIP and a place to live mean to him. “My home is everything to me. I feel a lot more secure knowing I have a safe place to live. And, I take care of everything much more now because of having stable housing. When I look at where I’ve come from and where I am now, I am so grateful.”

For more information on BC Housing go to this link.http://www.bchousing.org/Media