After serving in the military for 34 years and in the most dangerous conflict zones in the world, Ray Belanger found himself broke, haunted and physically damaged. It wasnB次元官网网址檛 they way heB次元官网网址檇 imagined retirement.

About 18 months ago, Belanger moved in with his brother while in the midst of a bitter divorce, and while suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. Now heB次元官网网址檚 living in Cockrell House in Colwood, CanadaB次元官网网址檚 only shelter for homeless and struggling military veterans.

B次元官网网址淚 went from the top to the bottom in two months,B次元官网网址� said Belanger, a retired paratrooper and load master with the Canadian Air Force. B次元官网网址淚 had no money left, no place to live and I needed rehabilitation for my body and head. They brought me here.B次元官网网址�

Belanger found Cockrell House before he wound up homeless, unlike a number of  veterans who retreat to living in the bush or on the street. But similar to most of those who rotate through Cockrell House, Belanger suffers from PTSD from what he witnessed in war zones and cities hit by natural disasters.

B次元官网网址淚 was deployed three times in seven years to Afghanistan. Sierra Leone, Somalia, Bosnia, Kosovo B次元官网网址� I saw disasters across the world, floods in New Orleans,B次元官网网址� Belanger said. B次元官网网址淚 saw a lot of disturbing things thatB次元官网网址檚 for sure.B次元官网网址�

The non-profit, volunteer-run South Mid Vancouver Island Zone Veterans Housing Society created Cockrell House, which opened quietly in 2009 offering five townhouse units that could house up to 11 people.

Russ Ridley, a Colwood developer and owner of the townhouse complex, pays for power, water, gas and maintenance.

The Royal Canadian Legion Foundation and other veterans organizations input about $10,000 per month to lease the building, subsidize rent, and to buy food cards and bus passes for men staying there. The society also financially assists a number of veterans off site.

In the past three years Cockrell House has helped about two dozen veterans get back on their feet, including a number who were homeless. Terri Orser, a founding member of Cockrell House and the B次元官网网址渄en mother,B次元官网网址� organizes donated furniture and helps the veterans settle in at the house.

B次元官网网址淭his is the first and the only (facility) like this in Canada,B次元官网网址� said Orser, a veteran of the 1991 Gulf war and two tours of the former Yugoslavia as a peacekeeper.

B次元官网网址淲e get a lot of money from the legion foundation. The legion supports us very well, as well as other veteran organizations. Now we are just waiting for permanent funding to come in.B次元官网网址�

Despite widespread attention in the media and a high success rate in helping lost veterans, Cockrell House has no permanent, stable funding from senior government, such as Veterans Affairs. Colwood is looking at donating $50,000 from its affordable housing fund, although itB次元官网网址檚 not clear that could be used for day-to-day operations.

B次元官网网址淲e get glowing letters of support from every level of government, but thereB次元官网网址檚 never a cheque in the envelope,B次元官网网址� said Cockrell House treasurer Angus Stanfield. B次元官网网址淲e survive on almost 100 per cent donations.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淭here is a lot of reason why this hasnB次元官网网址檛 failed B次元官网网址� all the people involved,B次元官网网址� he noted. B次元官网网址淎nd without the Royal Canadian Legion we couldnB次元官网网址檛 do it. Everything comes back to that.B次元官网网址�

Ridley and his brother Robb are in the early stages of planning second Cockrell House, possibly on Goldstream Avenue near Spencer school. Pieces need to fall into place, such as rezoning and sewering the property, but Ridley said a second building would give homeless veterans a smoother transition back into society.

B次元官网网址淲e call this place the breathing place. It allows these guys to get into programs and schooling,B次元官网网址� Ridley said. B次元官网网址淏ut instead of just throwing them out in the world when they graduate from here, there could be a second place to rent a room until they are integrated back into society.B次元官网网址�

NDP MLA John Horgan (Juan de Fuca) and NDP MP Randall Garrison (Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca) donated Canadian and B.C. flags last month in a small ceremony that allowed them to tour the facility.

B次元官网网址淭his is seniors helping seniors and veterans helping veterans,B次元官网网址� Horgan said. B次元官网网址淎nd the Ridley family contributes again and again.B次元官网网址�

For more information on Cockrell House or to make a contribution, call Dave Munro at 1-250-510-5332.

editor@goldstreamgazette.com