Meet Peter, who kindly shared his story of homelessness with us this Christmas

My name is Peter, I am 73 years old, and this is my story.

After a year of living in a van, I can finally say I have a place to call home – and it’s all thanks to the amazing support of Glass Door Homeless Charity.

For most of my life I worked as a carpenter in London, a job I really enjoyed doing. I moved into an apartment 51 years ago, and I always thought of it as home. But when my landlord passed away, his son took over, and that’s when everything started to change.

The new landlord let the property fall into disrepair. The roof leaked so badly that I had to place buckets around to catch the rainwater. There was no heating, and I relied on electric fires to keep warm during the cold winter months. Eventually, he went as far as demolishing the basement and ground floor, taking out windows, and stripping the ceiling and walls, all in an attempt to make the place unlivable. He was pushing me out, hoping I’d leave so he could redevelop the property.

Around that time, I slipped on ice and broke my hip and leg. Unable to work, I fell into debt, owing thousands of pounds to credit card companies and friends who tried to help. The financial stress was crushing, and when the landlord finally offered me a payout to leave, I used it to clear my debts and buy a small van to live in. It was the only option I had left.

Living in a van was a daily struggle, but it became my new normal.

You learn to adapt, always hiding, always on edge, fearing the knock from the nosey neighbour or the police if you’re parked in the wrong place. I’d go to cafes and pubs just to get WiFi or charge my phone, trying to piece my life back together.

It was a reality I never imagined – I didn’t think homelessness could look like this. I didn’t tell many people about it; I wasn’t just hiding my van, I was hiding a part of me. But one kind friend offered to keep some of my personal possessions, like family photographs. Those memories kept me going, reminding me of who I was, even when I felt lost.

With only my pension to live on, paying private rent was out of reach, and I found myself relying on food banks and community meals just to get by. It was during one of these meals that someone told me about Glass Door.

When I walked through the doors of the day centre, I was greeted by Caroline, a Glass Door caseworker, who made me feel at ease. I then met Rodrigo, another caseworker, and for the first time in years I felt like someone truly understood my struggles. He took the time to hear my story, to understand the challenges I was facing, and to offer real help.

Rodrigo became my guide. He worked tirelessly on my behalf, handling the paperwork, contacting the local council so that I could obtain the funds I needed to pay a deposit, and even arranging the visit to my new flat. He was there for me every step of the way, helping with the contract, ensuring everything was in place, and making sure I didn’t face this journey alone. I don’t know what I would have done without him.

I couldn’t believe how quickly things started to move. Within days, he found a flat for me. One Friday, I was visiting an apartment, and by the following Tuesday, I was moving in. I know I was very lucky, as it normally takes much longer to find someone somewhere to live.

After years of uncertainty and hardship, I finally have a place to call my own. It was more than just a roof over my head – it was hope, a second chance, and a fresh start. The kindness, dedication, and speed with which the Glass Door team worked truly changed my life.

They aren’t just caseworkers; they were my advocates, my supporters, and in many ways, my lifeline.

Now, I’m finally settling into my flat. I’m excited to decorate it, to make it my own, and to create a space where I can feel safe and at peace. I can’t describe the joy of having somewhere to call home again.

This is my story, but homelessness can take so many different forms – it could be someone living in a van like I was, someone sleeping on a friend’s sofa, or someone braving the streets. I know the number of people living without a home is growing and there are countless others around you who might need the same support that Glass Door gave me. If you can, please make a donation to Glass Door Homeless Charity this Christmas, your support could help someone like me who needs a place to call home.

If you connected with Peter’s story, please donate to our Christmas Appeal, so we can keep helping people like Peter.

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