Vance Deakin says he needs a hand up, not a hand out.

The Kelowna man broke his shoulder blade, hit his head and cracked a few ribs falling off a roof while cleaning gutters in Penticton last November. He went through a physiotherapy program, and once it was complete his employer laid him off.

He hasn香蕉视频直播檛 found long-term work since and is now homeless and living in his car.

The car is an older model Chevrolet that shows the marks of time, but Deakin keeps it tidy. There香蕉视频直播檚 a blanket on the back seat and a small fan set up on its ceiling to keep his dogs, G and BG, cool. These constant companions are nothing less than family to Deakin.

They香蕉视频直播檙e also part of the reason he香蕉视频直播檚 found himself in a rut.

香蕉视频直播�(I香蕉视频直播檝e) got no friends, family, anything here. I香蕉视频直播檝e got one friend but she lives in an apartment building but she has a cat and it香蕉视频直播檚 no dogs allowed,香蕉视频直播� he said.

He said trying to find a place in Kelowna that allows dogs has been 香蕉视频直播渇rustrating.香蕉视频直播�

香蕉视频直播淣o one wants to rent with dogs. I don香蕉视频直播檛 know why but they香蕉视频直播檒l take a cat,香蕉视频直播� he said.

At another job he held down briefly, he tied the dogs up in the parking lot and left them with food and water. But after receiving complaints about the animals he was fired.

香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檝e reached out to vets, the SPCA, all the churches. Even just to tie them up, leave the dogs with water and there you go,香蕉视频直播� he said.

The dogs are his best friends, so he can香蕉视频直播檛 give them away.

香蕉视频直播淕 is a birthday present from my girlfriend who died two days after Christmas and she香蕉视频直播檚 almost 15,香蕉视频直播� he said.

香蕉视频直播淏G was a runt of the runts, and she was all beat up and crying and I had to take her.香蕉视频直播�

Deakin related them to having a child.

香蕉视频直播淚 can香蕉视频直播檛 just say, 香蕉视频直播榦h my situation is not good enough for you and give you up for adoption.香蕉视频直播櫹憬妒悠抵辈��

After being laid off, he tried to go on disability but was rejected. When he tried a second time he was told to apply for welfare.

Deakin received some money from WorkSafeBC, but after months of searching for a job he has $15 left.

香蕉视频直播淭he social assistance is really what gets my nerves香蕉视频直播� they said apply for welfare so at least you have something. To a guy who香蕉视频直播檚 been employed 香蕉视频直播� I香蕉视频直播檓 physically capable,香蕉视频直播� he said.

Deakin is still searching for work, but he香蕉视频直播檚 losing hope.

香蕉视频直播淚 can香蕉视频直播檛 believe no one in the community would say 香蕉视频直播榟ere香蕉视频直播檚 a backyard, tie up the dogs and go to work,香蕉视频直播櫹憬妒悠抵辈�� he said.

香蕉视频直播淚 put my car online to try and trade it for a motorhome.香蕉视频直播�

A general handyman, Deakin said he香蕉视频直播檚 done roofing previously in Kamloops and finds what he can for work around the Okanagan.

According to director of Emergency Services at the Kelowna Gospel Mission Carl Heimitz, Deakin香蕉视频直播檚 story is uncommon, but not unheard of.

The Gospel Mission also has a place where people can put their pets.

香蕉视频直播淧eople do have dogs, mostly in the summers, more. But if they have a car and travel it香蕉视频直播檚 more common, but that香蕉视频直播檚 a small percentage (of homeless who have animals,)香蕉视频直播� said Heimitz.

Most of the people who visit the charity have lost a home, they香蕉视频直播檙e transient or they香蕉视频直播檙e disable and very few have a car, he said.

Having pets also makes it harder to find a place in Kelowna, said Heimitz.

They香蕉视频直播檙e all in need of housing. If you have a pet it makes it harder. There香蕉视频直播檚 not much out there for people with pets.香蕉视频直播�

He said the Gospel Mission has long waiting lists for affordable housing.