Eric’s Journey to Becoming Happily Housed
Eric, who has experienced homelessness and heroin addiction, is now happily housed and sober. He couldn’t have done it without True North Housing Alliance and its flagship program, the Torres Community Shelter. Here’s his story.
For the first time in Eric’s life, he’s no longer living in poverty. He has a nice two-bedroom apartment in Chico with his girlfriend and her son. He’s happy.
Things weren’t always this way, however. The journey was tough. For years, Eric experienced homelessness in Butte County. He stayed with the Torres Community Shelter, but he struggled to move forward and secure affordable housing. He became addicted to painkillers and then to heroin. He ended up couch surfing, living in his car, turning to the Torres Shelter and True North Housing Alliance off and on for years.
But every time he was at the shelter, he always had a comfortable place to sleep, warm meals and a hot shower, Eric said. It was a calm, safe place that encouraged him to work on himself and figure out his next steps.
He eventually came to a place where he cared about what happened in his life and he wanted to change, he said. When he came back to the shelter over two years ago, he fully committed.
“I didn’t want to be one of those guys that sleeps on a park bench every night,” he said.
He’s now four years sober and happy with his home and his life with his girlfriend.
When Eric moved into his apartment, it was surreal at first. But now, after two years, he feels comfortable and secure.
He’s had time to reflect on his experience with True North, too. Our programs, like the Torres Shelter, offer those who are “down on their luck” the support and resources needed to start over, he said.
“While there are rules here, this place is the most helpful place in pretty much all of Butte County to help you get back on your feet, as long as you’re willing to do the work, obey the rules and treat everybody as you expect to be treated,” Eric said.
“There are many homeless people in Chico that want to get out of homelessness,” he continued. “They want to help themselves get out of that place, and that’s when they come to True North and the Torres Shelter for help.”