People Like David and Paul

David has schizophrenia. For 10 of his 27 years he was in and out of hospitals. Between hospital stays he lived mainly on the street.

When David moved into a community residence, the quality of his life improved dramatically. At first he wouldn’t leave the house. But as he came to know and trust the other people in the house, he began to join them for barbecues and day trips. Eventually they became his family.

The other residents in David’s house have similar stories to tell. Paul, who is now 56, spent 20 years wandering. He usually stayed in low-budget rooms in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Since moving into a home in the community he has entered a job-training program and started working part time.

Katherine Sanford Housing Society develops quality housing in Greater Vancouver for people like David and Paul.