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HOUSING CRISIS: Kind stranger rescues Kelowna couple and dog living in a car

A Kelowna couple and their dog lived in a car in Kelowna for over a month after their truck and trailer was towed in April, 2022.
A Kelowna couple and their dog lived in a car in Kelowna for over a month after their truck and trailer was towed in April, 2022.
Image Credit: SUBMITTED/ Lucas McInnis

- This story was originally published June 1, 2022.

A Kelowna couple who have been living in a cramped sedan with their medium sized dog for over a month got to stretch out and get a proper rest last night, May 31.

Thanks to a generous act of kindness from a stranger, they were able to get their truck and tent trailer out of an impound lot.

Lucas McInnis’ truck and trailer along with most of his belongings were towed and impounded for being parked in a public parking lot on city property in April.

With McInnis on disability and his girlfriend currently unemployed, he was doubtful he would ever get his wheels out of impound. The fees were increasing every day while living in the car was becoming increasingly unbearable. 

“It is physically and mentally exhausting living in such close quarters for so long,” he said.

READ MORE: HOUSING CRISIS: Young couple with pet forced to live in a car in Kelowna

A kind woman who does not wish to be named made a hefty payment to the impound lot of close to $1,000 to get the units released after reading about the couple’s predicament in an article by iNFOnews.ca.

“I am an old lady with a little bit of money,” she said. “I am more than willing to pay the fees so he can get his trailer back. You put an animal in the equation and I’m a sucker. I just do it because I want to and I can. Years ago I was in a similar situation so I understand.”

It took some extra work for the kind stranger to fill out and email the proper paperwork and proof of identity in order for the payment to be made.

McInnis had to reinsure the units, and thanks to donations received through a gofundme page, he was able to do so.

“I am so grateful for the donations,” he said. “We are really thankful for the kindness of others. Any donations made after the cost of re-insuring the truck and trailer will go strictly to finding a home for us.”

READ MORE: HOUSING CRISIS: Seniors living in Vernon campsite find housing

McInnis is looking at options for safe and affordable places to park the tent trailer until he can put a more permanent housing plan in place.

“I never expected any of this to turn out the way it has but it has given me a shred of hope that we may finally find a place to call home,” he said. “We thank you all from the bottom of our hearts, and we cannot thank the kind stranger who paid for our impound fees enough.”


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