Building Hope With Homes For Heroes
David Howard is providing a solution for the growing number of military veterans who are facing crises as they return to civilian life.
Not every hero has a home. Many Canadian veterans who devoted themselves to ensuring our safety and freedom face the risk of homelessness when they return from active duty.
David Howard’s journey from entrepreneur to founder of Homes For Heroes was shaped by a deeply personal experience that changed his view on duty and sacrifice. Growing up with learning disabilities, Howard struggled in school, but a combination of determination and life-changing events led him to a cause that would define his life: helping veterans.
Howard’s drive to support veterans stems from his experience with his grandfather, a Second World War veteran who returned from the war deeply scarred by shell shock. After serving his country, his grandfather fell into alcoholism and ultimately became homeless, estranged from his family. Howard recalls a jarring moment from his childhood when he visited his grandfather: “I woke up to find him drinking leftover beer in a coffee cup and eating dog food.” This image of a once-proud man in such a degraded state stayed with Howard, motivating him to act.
As he learned more about veterans’ struggles, Howard founded Homes For Heroes, a charity that provides housing and support for homeless Canadian veterans. The foundation builds small supportive communities to give veterans a chance to reintegrate into civilian life with dignity and purpose. The initiative is based on the understanding that veterans are not just victims of circumstance — they can also be active partners in their own recovery.
Many veterans are shaped by their deep-rooted sense of duty and pride, so they are reluctant to ask for help. This can sometimes lead to deep- seated shame when they find themselves in vulnerable situations.
Howard believes that veterans are often misunderstood, and one of the biggest misconceptions, he says, is that “those that are on the street or those that are suffering are alcoholics or drug addicts, and they’re not willing to take charge of their own lives.” He insists that this is simply not true. “They’re not looking for a handout, either. They’re looking for an opportunity.”
The Homes For Heroes Foundation has grown rapidly, with communities established in Calgary and Edmonton, as well as in Kingston, with plans to expand to Winnipeg, Toronto and Hamilton. But Howard has faced significant resistance along the way, particularly when it comes to battling that misconception, finding land, gaining community approval and facilitating multi-party involvement, since the responsibility is collective — government, private sector and communities must come together. Howard remains hopeful, however, driven by his belief that Canada can end homelessness for veterans, just as the U.S. has made strides with similar programs.
Homes For Heroes’ success is measured not just by the communities it builds but by the lives it changes. “We’ve saved hundreds of lives,” Howard reflects. “If we’ve saved just one, it’s worth it. But we’ve saved so many more.”
For Howard, the journey is far from over. He’s stepping back from the day-to-day operations of Homes For Heroes to focus on expanding the program nationally, but his passion for supporting veterans remains unwavering. As he puts it, “It’s not about recognition. It’s about giving back to those who gave so much for us.” Homes For Heroes is about restoring hope and dignity to those who gave everything for their country.
