IT BROKE DOWN ITS BEEN 5 NIGHTS OUTSIDE.

Update from Vancouver

Ellie of Ellie on Wheels shares a difficult update from Vancouver, British Columbia. Her 23-year-old van broke down because of a failed transmission. She has spent five nights without her usual home and expects repairs to take weeks.

After she was unable to stay at a mechanic’s yard or with an acquaintance, an older friend offered her space in his yard. She is sleeping in an empty U-Haul cargo van that is cold, damp, and uninsulated. Ellie says she wakes up coughing.

Difficult living conditions

Ellie bought a thick sleeping bag at a thrift store and washed it at a laundromat, but the nights remain uncomfortable. She also feels unsafe and isolated.

Financial strain

The repairs are a major financial burden. Ellie had recently spent $4,600 on other van repairs and paid a $2,000 deposit toward the current work. She expects to need more money for a used transmission.

She says replacement vehicles—and even damaged trailers—have become unaffordable.

Reflection and outlook

Ellie reflects on how difficult it is to find stable housing in British Columbia, even for people who have worked hard and have few family members or friends to rely on. She contrasts the city she grew up in with its new high-rise development and says she often feels disconnected, despite living in a van.

She had planned to take children fishing and bought food and snacks for the outing, but the breakdown disrupted those plans. She tries to stay positive by thinking about the autumn leaves and the upcoming Halloween.