Strangers put up homeless man in motel

A homeless Hamilton man who was living in a tent is sleeping in a motel for five nights thanks to the generosity of strangers.

A couple from Burlington extended the offer after reading about the 46-year-old’s situation in The Spectator earlier this week.

“I am so grateful, seriously,” John said upon meeting the Burlington man who would drive him to a motel in west Hamilton early Friday evening.

“My hair is standing on end right now,” added John, who requested only his middle name be used to maintain privacy.

John says he’d been living in a crack house and opted to live outside because it was more secure for him despite the cold.

He has used a blowtorch to warm up the inside of his tent. “The heat doesn’t last very long in there.”

The Burlington couple covering John’s motel bill wished to remain anonymous.

Just as he was getting ready to leave late Friday, another stranger dropped by the tent to offer help.

“I read the article and I just thought I’ve got extra blankets,” said Rob Nelson, who operates a millwork company in the area.

Nelson joked the Burlington man “beat me to it,” after hearing John was heading to a motel.

But the homeless man responded with gratitude. “You won’t believe what those blankets will do for me.”

Another stranger, who has yet to connect with him, has offered to do his laundry and provide some food.

John says he has survived by panhandling, dumpster-diving and bottle collecting. He says he was recently cut off welfare.

The city’s Street Outreach Team and agencies try to help the homeless gain access to housing, health care, income and other services.

John says he’s been in contact with a social worker about finding a place to live.