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Shelters, survival kits are key during housing insecurity, Toledo man says after 23 years of being homeless

As Thomas Miller, 62, gets closer to securing housing after more than two decades of being homeless, he reflects on what he has learned and offers advice to others.

TOLEDO, Ohio — Thomas Miller, 62, said his military training has kept him alive for the last quarter of his life.

"I've been homeless for 23 years and by the grace of God because I am a veteran, after the first of the year I will be given an apartment," he said.

Now that he is getting closer and closer to secure housing, he said he has been looking back on his time as a homeless person in Toledo. To survive, he said it took a collection of resources like area shelters and survival kits.

And he too has helped others. Miller said he has provided people with blankets, pillows and even Narcan.

Credit: Maya May

But, not everyone survives.

"I have a memorial. I can only get seven names on it from friends I've lost over the 23 years," he said.

Howard Johnson, a Navy veteran; Kevin Healy; Papa Smurf; Mike; Percy; and Jim Jump are currently on the memorial.

Miller said he has seen the winter weather in northwest Ohio claim many lives and because he has spent more than two decades being homeless, he felt called to keep a list.

"It's my goal and my mission to make sure that that doesn't happen again," he said.

On top of sharing the resources, Miller has also learned he wants to share more information to keep others safe.

Winter crisis programs began Friday, meaning area shelters have more beds available. Some shelters, like St. Paul's Community Center in downtown Toledo, are requiring people to take a COVID-19 test.

The center usually houses 35 adults, but is making an additional 35 beds available until the spring, said outreach coordinator Oleen Clinton.

"Going forward we need them to go to [the Mildred Bayer Clinic for the Homeless] every Monday to make sure they don't have COVID, and they will have somewhere to have a hot meal, get a shower, wash their clothes if need be and have somewhere to sleep where they don't have to go outside at night," Clinton said.

For those who might be unable to find an open bed at a homeless shelter, Miller said resourcefulness is key, noting how he used a doorway as a makeshift shelter to help protect him from heavy winds for a week.

"I don't know what it is, but he's not finished with me yet and I just hope I never lose hope no matter how bad it gets," he said. "It's always something to be grateful for every day."

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