Housing Services

When Dan discovered that he would become homeless in 2023, he was more prepared than most. As he watched the cost of room rentals and houses skyrocket, he put himself on the community housing list back in 2021. However, even with two and a half years of foresight, when his home where he rented a room was sold, Dan had nowhere to go.

“Being on ODSP, I had no other avenue but to go to a shelter,” Dan explained grimly. While he was there, Dan noticed a worker from Starling would come visit every Thursday.

“Each individual was treated with respect and given insight into what their next steps were going to be,” Dan recalled. “They gave us all hope. So, whenever they came, I would be sure to talk to them.”

Dan was soon partnered with Starling Housing Services, who found him an apartment in Elmira in spring 2024, where he remains today. He says he is grateful that he still receives visits from his Starling Housing Stability Worker once a week, to see how things are going, help him become involved in the community and to offer support.

Ever the gentle, positive spirit, Dan often reflects on his experience with homelessness as a driver into the next phase of his life. “A lot of the people I met at my time in the shelter had given up, or felt they’d reached an end of normalcy. I was pushed through a personal level of growth and I’m proud of myself. It takes a strong individual to have a goal and work towards that goal. Starling held my hand and walked that path with me, and that was absolutely invaluable.”

When he left the shelter, he said his friends joked that they would see him again, and he confidently responded with “No, you won’t.”

“I’m here for the duration now,” Dan concluded. “Starling brought me out of the homeless environment and gave me a second lease at loving and living life again. If not for Starling, I wouldn’t be here in a beautiful apartment with my cat. I feel like I’ve arrived. It’s been a long time coming, but now with the help of Starling, it’s time to look after Dan.”