Homeless to Home

Troy’s Story

When the wind chill hit 18 below zero, Troy wasn’t sure how he had made it through another winter in the woods.

After losing both of his parents to brain cancer, the family farm was sold and the life he knew disappeared with it. With nowhere else to go, Troy moved onto a few acres he owned, parking a camper there and settling in with his dog and the few belongings he had left. For years, he lived without electricity or running water. Just him and his dog.

“I was living in the woods for quite a while,” Troy said. “Last winter the wind-chill was 18 below zero. I came in and told them, ‘I don’t know how I made it through this year but I did… and I was wondering if I could get some food.’”

Troy receives Social Security Income, but navigating the systems required to move forward felt overwhelming. With TrueNorth support, he began untangling the paperwork and learning how to manage his benefits independently so he could move ahead with confidence.

TrueNorth staff visited him at his camper, helping him complete housing applications and gather the documentation property managers required. He also hadn’t seen a doctor in years, so he got connected to local care, a step that proved critical. His senior dog, his only steady companion through years of isolation, posed a barrier to many housing options. With documentation from his new provider, his dog was approved as an emotional support animal, clearing one more hurdle.

By early December, Troy was approved for housing. And by mid-December 2025, he was inside his own apartment — just in time to avoid the worst of the cold.

Today, he talks about the simple things: turning on a light switch, opening a refrigerator and taking a hot shower.

After years of surviving, Troy is finally home.