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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday June 22, 2007 - 3 Organization gives shelter and hope to those without either By Melanie Cummings SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER If home is where the heart is, every year in Halton 1,200 are damaged by a confluence of predicaments. They are the unseen and unknown homeless population. Homelessness in Halton seems an oxymoron. Touted as having some of the wealthiest communities in the country it's tough to imagine there are people living here in their cars or surfing from one friend's couch to another's. But there are. Bill is a 60-year-old man whose failed business and divorce spiraled him into homelessness, despair and near suicide. His shame was so heightened that he opted to live in his car rather than become a `burden' to his children. Bill eventually found refuge in a townhouse on a quiet residential street that is close to bus routes, employment and basic amenities. He lived there with four other men who, like him, methodically worked toward eradicating the circumstances that led to their homelessness. With a roof over their heads in a safe neighbourhood, the assurance of daily meals, workplaces from which to generate income, and emotional and mental support, Bill and his housemates are on their way to a better life. This is the work of the little known pioneering local charity that aptly calls itself Home Suite Hope. It provides an affordable, stable place for people to call home for at least eight months. Wendy Perkins is Home Suite Hope's executive director. She said that while the Lindsay Drive house takes care of practical needs, it's DEREK WOOLLAM / OAKVILLE BEAVER HOME SUITE HOPE: Home Suite Hope patrons Jay and Mary Lockwood recently hosted the second Evening of Friendship fundraising event along with Executive Director Wendy Perkins (left). the tangible community support, from the donated furniture to counselling and fellowship, that enables these men to overcome the trauma, depression, family strife, or job loss that culminated in homelessness. "Their past has to be tackled and then left behind, let go, so that they can move on to a better life," said Perkins. In the two years Home Suite Hope has existed, it has sheltered, advocated and supported 16 men. Bill is one of 13 who are now on their feet again and faring well, said Perkins. ""Home Suite Hope gave me a chance to rebuild and regroup," wrote Bill in a letter of thanks he sent to the charity's volunteer board of directors. The tenant's backgrounds, ages and experiences are certainly diverse, but through Home Suite Hope they share a will to succeed. They pay no more than one-third of their income toward rent in a well-appointed home that has been renovated to fit five bedrooms -- one for each resident. High rent and housing prices were cited as contributors to homeless- ness, revealed a random survey conducted in Halton's social in May 2005 "The warm, homey environment, the dignity of earning a living wage and continuing to build a future motivate these men to succeed, and they do," added Perkins. While there is no typical characteristic of a homeless person, the majority are men, which is why Home Suite Hope's first house focused on filling a housing void for men. They are referred to Home Suite Hope usually through the Salvation Army Lighthouse Shelter in Oakville, which accommodates 15 adults and 10 youth (16-24 years old) at no charge for up to 30 days. All too often, though, Perkins is forced to turn people away because there aren't enough Home Suite Hope spaces to fill the need. But thanks to a $50,000 donation from the May Court Club of Oakville, the down payment on a second Home Suite Hope home, this time for women, is in the works. And the $30,000 raised through the everpopular Evening of Friendship fundraising event hosted by Home Suite Hope patrons Mary and Jay Lockwood is cause for celebration. Just $5,000 can put one homeless person back on track, said Perkins. To do nothing and allow people to remain in distress would incur a far greater expense on the public purse. "Home Suite Hope depends on volunteers, which is what community is all about. We live in a time of optimism and affluence but sometimes difficulties in life surface. It happens to everyone but if we can be supportive neighbours who want to and do make a difference, then the whole community benefits," said Perkins. 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