Chris Kuebler

Matthew Secures a Healthier Future

“It’s impossible when you’re in a car,” says TrueNorth Housing Resource Center participant Matthew about managing his health issues while living in his car. “I’ll be honest, I didn’t think I had any chance of getting any apartment anywhere.” Thankfully, Matthew did find a place to call home after working with TrueNorth Community Services. Receiving guidance and encouragement throughout his housing journey enabled Matthew to be where he is today – safely housed and looking forward to a brighter future.

November is Homeless Awareness Month – raising awareness to help people just like Matthew who face homelessness and housing insecurity. Matthew had been living out of his car for over a year after he left his past place due to it not being accessible for him. With the current rise of housing needs in addition to the decreased availability of rentals, he was unable to find another place to call home.

Matthew eventually went to a medical rehabilitation facility after a hospital visit because of his poor health. He has been diagnosed with congestive heart failure, stage 3 kidney disease, prostate cancer and type 2 diabetes. At the facility, Matthew worked with TrueNorth and his rehabilitation caseworker to help find him safe housing for when he was ready to be discharged. Matthew spent about six weeks at the facility getting his strength and overall health back on track. When it was time for him to be discharged, he unfortunately still did not have a place to go even after putting in multiple applications for income-based and senior housing.

The next day, however, TrueNorth found a local hotel willing to participate in our hotel voucher program. Matthew describes how he felt getting out of his car and staying in the hotel: “I felt great, but at the same time I felt that this was temporary. I knew I wasn’t going to be able to spend the rest of my life there.” Thirty days later Matthew found his new home. While he was excited at first to have his own place, he was hesitant to go because he didn’t know how he could afford rent and all his medical bills. With guidance from TrueNorth, Matthew felt comfortable moving into his new apartment that will ultimately set him up for a healthier future.

Today, Matthew is living in his senior apartment where he can focus on his health. He is set up to receive Meals on Wheels and even received a box of healthy food from TrueNorth thanks to their Farm to Home Boxes program. Along with these resources, Matthew is receiving physical therapy and has nurses checking in on him. Now, Matthew can focus solely on his health without his previous stress and anxiety from not having a place to call home. “I call it a miracle,” says Matthew when reflecting on his housing journey.

You can make a difference in the lives of people like Matthew. Whether you donate, volunteer, advocate or help in any way you can, you can help those in need find the safe, affordable housing they need to thrive. Click here to “GET INVOLVED” to ensure the health and well-being of our community during Homeless Awareness Month and beyond.