For individuals residing on the perimeter of society, the road between the protection and safety of a house and homelessness could be very skinny.
For a second time in her life, Lindsay Alexander, 34, has discovered herself on the incorrect facet of that line after getting evicted from group housing earlier this month.
“I just felt like I wasn’t a human being anymore, I didn’t understand, like why are you doing this? Is this really happening?” mentioned Alexander.
Alexander first turned homeless in 2018 after she says her life and profession have been derailed by legal {charges}.
“Survival mode is what happens when you become homeless, you are literally just surviving … I wouldn’t wish homelessness on anyone” she says.
Whereas additionally coping with an dependancy, Alexander has lived at a Matrix housing property in Guelph for the final 5 years
Matrix is a not-for-profit housing group that finds housing for probably the most susceptible in Wellington County.
Alexander describes her time at Matrix as difficult, however says she appreciates what they’ve accomplished.
“The Matrix building gave me an opportunity, they took me off the streets, they gave me responsibility, they gave me structure,” she mentioned.
That modified this fall when Alexander was evicted. She says she was pressured to depart after she modified the locks on her condominium due a security concern.
Matrix says they can’t touch upon particular instances however says they solely evict a tenant in uncommon circumstances.
“Because of the vulnerability of our tenants, eviction is absolutely a last resort. Our goal, along with other providers throughout the province, is to keep people safely housed,” mentioned Artwork Kollee, president of the Board of Administrators of Matrix Housing.
He says they solely evict if a tenant is threatening or extraordinarily disruptive, legal exercise is concerned or if they’re in arrears and refuse to make funds.
In keeping with Alexander, she felt deserted by the group after the eviction.
“I literally was thrown out on the streets, there’s no solution, there’s no resolution, there is no ‘here is a piece of paper for you to call people that can help you get housed.’ They just threw me out and put me on the streets again,” mentioned Alexander.
With no lifeline from any outreach organizations, Alexander reconnected by probability with a buddy who she knew when she was homeless.
“You just really need a safe place and I was really worried about her, and I said ‘Hey I’ve got this 10×10 shed,” mentioned Amelia Buchanan who took in Alexander and has let her dwell in what she calls her “She-Shed”.
Buchanan now owns a house, however beforehand spent two years residing on the streets when she first met Alexander.
“People who have a home, they don’t understand what it’s like. It’s crazy, it’s a new emergency every day, every single morning when you wake up, it’s like emergency, emergency, emergency,” mentioned Buchanan.
Alexander says whereas she is getting her life again so as, she is hoping to assist others in her scenario, saying individuals with psychological well being and dependancy points are extra aware of individuals with lived experiences.
“If you make them feel like people, they will give back, and they have so much potential that is being lost due to the stigma,” mentioned Alexander.
For now, Buchanan says Alexander is free to dwell in her tiny home-like shed whereas she works on a plan to assist others.
