Margaret's Story

Briefly, my history of mental illness began in 1965 and for 10 years I suffered only occasional episodes of schizophrenia. For the most part, I functioned well with medication. In 1977, I suddenly became very ill and had hallucinations and delusions non-stop for the next 15 years until my doctors tried prescribing clozopine, which seemed to work when no other medication would.

Over the years, I have lived in a number of different kinds of housing. In the 1980's, I lived in a variety of group homes, in between several long-term hospitalizations for my condition. Being very ill, I needed the support and company that a group home offers.

I also lived in a housing co-op with Houselink on Albany street. That was good housing because I was able to care for myself and have the benefit of shared accommodation with roommates. I lived there for 2 years but my goal was to ultimately acquire an apartment of my own. So I left Houselink for a subsidized bachelor's apartment.

After I left Houselink, I moved into a subsidized apartment. But I was very sick at the time and one night I was knocked unconscious after I left a kettle on the stove. I nearly died of smoke inhalation so I had to move out.

I found a women's residence which was like a boarding home where I lived for 2 years until I decided that if I was ever going to get my own apartment, now was the time to do it. I moved into a not very nice market value apartment, but life was difficult. In order to make ends meet, I had to eat at a drop-in every day for my main meal.

I then applied for another subsidized apartment and after a wait of more than five years, I moved into a nice bachelor's apartment. After another few years, I upgraded to a one bedroom, also subsidized.

It was really nice to have enough money for the basic essentials, thanks to my subsidized apartment. Unfortunately, I had to leave that apartment because of a terrible infestation of bedbugs that the housing company never dealt with. After that, I was homeless for months, during which time my two sons and my siblings took me in. But having no home of your own leaves you with no sense of security.

My experience demonstrates how important appropriate housing is for a person's state of health and well being.

In my opinion, housing is a human right. Nobody should be denied affordable and appropriate housing. And nobody should suffer financially because of the housing they are stuck with.