Both my wife and I were in jail for making a lot of bad decisions. I had a lot of time to think and I got clean and sober. When we came out we were living in tent city. We had nowhere to go. I lost my house, and everything in it. Me and my wife both went to bible study and AA meetings. That's when we realised we wanted to be together for the rest of our lives. The church took care of all of it - the licenses, wedding rings, everything. My friends bought my tuxedo, and friends of my wife pitched in for a wedding dress. We got married in a church in town but all the guests of honour were tent city residents. It was a kind of "come as you are" affair, everyone being homeless. It was a beautiful day.

Living in tent city was hard. You'd have to walk a five gallon bucket of water back to your camp. Nine out of ten showers were cold, and there weren't nearly enough toilets. The garbage bins were always overflowing. And the cold. That was something you couldn't escape.

It was really like living in a small village though. I knew 90% of the people. My wife and I set up a ministry, called the "Lighthouse Ministry". We called it a beacon of hope. I absolutely miss the people there. I've got a "mum" and "dad" and "brothers" there. I love those people down there. They were my family.

We've been married for four months now and got out of Tent City about two months ago. We were trying everything to get out of their. To get out you have to want it, and believe you can get it. A friend helped us out with a house, but I pay rent, I'm working now. I buy products from outlet stores and sell them on the local market. I know about six or seven people who've managed it. My life is beautiful. I've got everything I want: a beautiful wife; a house; a vehicle; a computer. I'm getting there. And I'm a productive member of society. We're not going back."

 

Tommy and Anne's wedding day with guests from tent city.

Most of the people here are chronic, rather than temporary, homeless. There are a few exceptions; one family's house burnt down. Another's here because they lost their home due to a death in the family. But I don't know anyone here forced out because of foreclosure problems resulting from the subprime crisis. The international press got hold of the story and pumped it up. This has been an ongoing problem in America for a long time. This ‘homeless service area' as they call it was set up because there were too many people living near to the railroads and it was considered a health hazard.

The reason the council's having to get rid of people is because you've got 400 residents with no rules. It tends to get a bit out of hand. People started coming from all over. The issue's beyond nationwide. The council just said "we can't take responsibility for everyone". So the city will be capped at 170 for those who can prove they're from Ontario with something like a birth certificate, utility bill or rent slip. The others will be transported back to the cities they come from. And then fences will be put up and security introduced. A lot of people are nervous. But it's going to clean up the environment."

 

Non-Ontario residents are asked to leave, 17 March 08.