Hi, I’m Howie; I’m Maori from Ngāpuhi descent. I’m a proud person. I live in Beach Haven, which is known as a posh area, but I ended up living in my van for three years as I struggled finding housing.
I spent all my life in Beach Haven, playing or coaching rugby for the Northcote Tigers. After we sold our family home, I struggled to find safe and permanent housing.
I think that a lot of people who have never been through homelessness can’t really understand what it’s like. Some people would think I was lucky living in my van. It’s alright for three weeks, but not three years. My living situation had its ups and downs; the downs were pretty tough. At times, I virtually only had my dogs to talk to.
But good things also came out of me living in my van. I met a wide variety of good people – people experiencing the same situation as me, and people helping people like me. Meeting Orange Sky was like a godsend. Each Saturday morning visiting the orange van was like my big day out! Washing my clothes, having a shower and a chat gave me dignity. And people weren’t judging me for my situation or my skin colour; they just gave me moral support.
About three years, or 1,265 days after living in my van, I finally got a place. But I keep coming back to the orange van because I miss the people. It’s not just the showers, it’s the people.
I hope I can give back to my community and work with an organisation out here. I just know what people out on the streets are going through. You can still be a proud person who wants dignity when you’re living on the streets. But a lot of people don’t want to ask for help, they get overwhelmed. I hope I can help bridge that gap.
Homelessness doesn’t rest over Christmas, and holidays can be a particularly tough time for our friends on the street. If you’d like to help ensure that friends, like Howie, can continue to be supported over the holidays, please consider a donation today.
These holidays, help more people like Howie.
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