Donald Peter Prevost had nowhere to go after he was discharged from hospital following gallbladder surgery this month — until last week, when he was offered a supportive housing bed.
The 55-year-old, who is homeless and has multiple medical issues, tried to secure a bed at a local shelter after leaving Victoria General Hospital in early August, but could only get a mat on the floor.
“So I slept in my daughter’s van for three days,” said Prevost, whose daughter’s social housing building does not allow guests for more than two weeks total. “I just needed somewhere to rest.”
Aboriginal outreach worker Bernice Kamano, who was trying to help Prevost find a place to recover, said homeless people being released from hospital often end up on the streets. Shelters frequently operate beyond capacity and there are no dedicated medical respite or recovery beds for homeless people.