Amputee finds ‘place to call home’ with help of non-profit in Brampton

A man who lost both his hands and feet while homeless says affordable housing has been “a blessing,” and an innovative new project from a local non-profit could help dozens of other at-risk people in Brampton.

After years of staying in crowded shelters and an incident that saw him lose most of his fingers and toes, Dennis Chantiloupe says he finally has “a place to call home.”

The 51-year-old former soccer player became homeless decades ago, and one cold January night spent outside led to his hands and most of his feet being amputated.

But since October, Chantiloupe has been living in an affordable housing project with the help of Services and Housing In the Province (SHIP) – a group that’s looking to build a new development in Brampton with more than 50 subsidized units.

“It’s going great for me,” Chantiloupe told INsauga.com of how his life has changed since landing an affordable housing placement. “I have my own room, I have my own apartment.”

He’s also been able to reconnect with his estranged son, hopes to get back into soccer by becoming a local coach and referee.

“I have a place to call home. It’s a nice place, a nice home,” he says of his new condo apartment. “It’s just a great development for SHIP, and I appreciate them and appreciate that.”

Studies have shown that a “housing first” strategy significantly reduces homelessness in the long term by letting residents focus on their medical, mental or addiction needs that may be keeping them homeless.

But the Region of Peel only has around 7,600 dedicated affordable housing units, and SHIP says shelters are operating at some 300 per cent
capacity.

And with wait times for affordable housing in Mississauga and Brampton reaching up to 20 years, SHIP wants to build a new 52-unit subsidized development with investments from community members.

The development would be at 273 Main Street North and be five-storeys tall with a mix of one-bedroom and bachelor suites with rents subsidized up to around $1,200.

The non-profit group is looking to raise $4 million through community bonds, letting Brampton residents invest a minimum $1,000 in the project with a 4.5 per cent annual return, acting CEO of SHIP Thomas DiCarlo tells INsauga.com.

“It provides a financial return while also providing a social impact,” DiCarlo said of the community bonds, which are being launched in partnership with Tapestry Community Capital.

He says the region is in a “housing emergency,” and that the community bonds will “allow people across Canada to invest in real change that reduces strain on public systems, while also earning a financial return in the process.”

DiCarlo says he expects it to take around six months to raise the $4 million in funds, which will help towards pre-development of the $25 million project.

SHIP says the project could begin construction next year and hopes to open in 2027.

To learn more about SHIP and the community bond affordable housing project, visit www.shipshey.ca.