Homeless man in Happy Valley-Goose Bay living in friends' shed

Having a warm place to live is something that many people take for granted, but a man in Labrador is now relying on a friend to provide him with a roof over his head each night.

Amos Jararuse, a homeless man in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, has found himself in the desperate position where he is now living in a friends shed.

"If I wasn't living here I'd be living on the streets, outside," said Jararuse.

Jarause claims that he's been looking for work but not having much luck. He doesn't want to apply for government assistance because he feels he is capable of working, but until he finds a job he has few options for affordable housing.

Cora Best and her husband have been letting Jararuse live in their shed, which sits outside of their one bedroom house. The shed is heated and has a mattress that Amos can sleep on. It's not much, but for Jararuse it still beats sleeping outside.

"It's comfy in a way, I like it. At least I got a place to stay, I'm happy for that."

Cora Best said she doesn't mind Jararuse staying in the shed, but she feels there needs to be a more permanent solution for the homeless problem in the town.

"It's pretty comfortable out there, but I mean, he shouldn't have to be living in my shed," she said.

"There should be places for guys like Amos, and how many more are out there? I don't know."

Recurring problem

It turns out that there are indeed more out there. Just last weekend, Cora Best and her husband had a second man staying in their shed.

"He came here on the weekend," she said.

"Saturday and Sunday night, because Friday night he slept in a truck."

With regards to a permanent solution to the homelessness problem in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, there is some hope for people like Jararuse.

Newfoundland and Labrador Housing say they are working on getting an emergency shelter up and running to combat the homelessness problem in the town.