For some people, the support of peers is central to a making a successful transition from shelters and the streets to a home. For others, it remains a missing piece.

Charles is a 55-year-old veteran. After 35 years of homelessness—living with relatives, at veteran’s shelters, and in sober houses—his dream came true. He received a voucher that allowed him to choose a place to live in a community of his choice. Charles moved into a two-bedroom home in an urban neighborhood. “After 35 years, I have my own keys and nobody can throw me out,” Charles said. His family, friends and caseworkers were hopeful that this would be the “life boat” that Charles needed to continue his journey of recovery and re-build his life.

Four months later, his dream came undone. In the beginning, Charles had plenty to do. His life was filled with setting up his new home. But then he became more and more lonely. “My first apartment, my first home in 35 years is killing me,” he said, as things began to unravel. He began drinking and using drugs again. He was soon gaunt and thin. Charles, who was always a gifted writer and speaker, no longer spoke in full sentences.

This shift, this new presentation of Charles’ “self,” makes it clear that a house is not always enough.

Many types of programs help people transition from homelessness. One approach involves employing people who have experienced homelessness. These “consumer-providers” often function in outreach, case management, or mentoring roles to support individuals in their transition back into the community. How different might Charles’ situation be if he had the companionship, expertise, and help of consumer-providers who had also experienced the challenges of transitioning from homelessness, traumatic stress,  and substance use? Rather than attempting to do it alone, Charles may have benefited from the support of those who had made similar transitions.

Consumers who have lived experiences of mental illness, substance use, trauma and homelessness can bring the knowledge, skills and expertise that come from living, surviving, and learning to speak clearly about recovery. Consumers as providers can make uniquely valuable contributions to aiding others in recovery. The wide range of expertise and knowledge of consumer-providers is now being documented through projects such as the Homelessness Resource Center (Prescott & Harris, 2007, pending publication). The lived experiences of trauma, mental illness, and homelessness are often out of the realm of many traditional providers’ experience. People who have “been there” are in a powerful position to support others through the transition, bridging the gap and building trusting, supportive relationships between service providers and the people they serve.

Isolation, shame, and despair can beat the hope out of recovery. On the other hand, such despair can be soothed and healed only in relationships of respect and understanding. This is not to suggest that people who have not experienced homelessness, trauma, mental illness and the ravages of addiction do not play a vital role in the recovery journey. People with lived experience, though, can provide a particularly strong level of support and understanding for people living through similar crises.