Homeless Man In Tampa Can Now Buy His Own House
After living on the streets and practically being a nobody, a homeless man in Tampa, Florida, can now buy or rent his own place following the recovery of his identity and discovery of a forgotten bank account.
In an interview with ABC Action News, John Helinski shared how he just managed on his own unnoticed by people. “[I have been] sleeping underneath the benches there and no one would see me,” Helinski said. He used to live on cardboard boxes near bus stations and under the benches. His social security card along with other proof of identification was stolen from him while he was still on the streets and so he was nameless for three years. His “lack of identity” was the main obstacle when he sought help from DACCO Community Housing Solutions Center.
“He needed to have an identification, but we couldn’t get an identification without a birth certificate,” said DACCO Case Manager Charles Inman. To make matters more complicated, Helinski, whose mother was an American, was born in Poland. Inman tapped the help of Tampa Police Department officer Daniel McDonald, whose job involves helping the homeless — such as getting ID needed for work or housing. McDonald was able to help Helinski secure a temporary State of Florida ID card and request for birth record from the Bureau of Consular Affairs.
“With his consular birth certificate and temporary ID, we went to the Social Security office, and I just walked up to them and said, ‘This man used to have benefits, can you help us?'” McDonald said. Apparently, Helinski is still receiving his benefits and it has been piling on his forgotten bank account. They then drove to Bank of America Tampa branch, which used to be Landmark bank, and found his account with money enough to get him permamnet housing.
Now that he can get back up, Helinski is thankful for the help he received and is nothing but happy. “I guess I’m exhilarated, excited, you know,” he said.
