From tent city to Tally Ho: homeless camper in Victoria finds shelter at assisted living site
Daniel Gray was part of the Victoria courthouse tent city. He now lives in a supportive housing unit
The tent cities of Greater Victoria have had several iterations now, most recently moving to a small encampment in Langford at Goldstream Provincial Park.
Daniel Gray, 54, used to live in one of them — the tent city behind the Provincial Courthouse. He was there when he overdosed on Christmas Eve of 2015.
"That was a pivotal point," Gray told All Points West host Robyn Burns. "Everything seemed to change after that.
"I died, and fortunately through the help of some good people they brought me back to life and my luck seemed to change a bit since then and doors opened."
When Gray was taken to hospital, he was diagnosed with pneumonia. He says the doctor begged him to stay. The fact that someone else valued his life more than he did prompted him to make some changes, and open some doors.
16 years on the street
Gray's family lives up Island, and he chose to live in Victoria to stay close to them.
During his 16 years on the street as an addict, Gray said he would camp out in different spots around the city.
"I was ... trying to stay out of the public eye, but the police and the CRD would always find us. They're pretty good at doing their job," he said.
Gray now has a bed and a roof over his head at the former Tally Ho hotel run by the Cool Aid Society, where he has lived since February. But the stability and responsibility of having a home has been an adjustment.
"It's not easy to go from being homeless to being housed. You get used to the freedom of being outdoors."
With meals provided and staff onsite supporting residents to stay on track, the assisted living aspect of the Tally Ho has allowed Gray to ease into his new space.
He said he's even put on a few pounds since he moved in nine months ago.
"This is a really good step back into life," Gray said.
"I have options now and I actually have a future as opposed to just living the same life over and over again pursuing the daily dose of getting high."
Gray says he has quit using heroin, and he recently completed treatment for Hepatitis C.
The courthouse tent city where Gray overdosed was dismantled in the summer of 2016 and is now occupied by a playground — a sight he says makes him smile.
"I just think it's the best thing they could've done, because kids are the future."
With files from All Points West
To hear the full interview listen to media below:
Clarifications
- This story has been updated to provide more context.Sep 30, 2018 5:53 PM EDT