From Homelessness to Hope: A Mother and Son Find a Home & Community

“It's stressful, and cold,” said Karen Snizek, a disabled mother and caregiver for her son Nate, a teenager who was born with a rare genetic disorder. Still, living in a van was a better option than what they were facing when Covid hit in 2020.

Vermont natives, Karen and Nate lived in Florida when the pandemic began. “As much as we loved the weather, there was no way we could stay there and risk Nate’s health,” said Karen. Nate's condition puts him at an elevated risk for contracting viruses like Covid which could seriously impact his health. The determined mom packed up their van and headed north. 

What they found in Vermont unfortunately was a deficit of decent housing and high rental costs. “Long story short,” said Karen who spoke candidly about her experience, “we found an apartment in Bennington, but things became unsafe for a variety of reasons.” One such reason Karen recalled, is the time a stranger walked into their apartment taking mother and son by surprise. “It was frightening, but what's worse, I had asked maintenance to fix the broken lock weeks before it happened." They never did, according to Karen. Other incidents occurred at the apartment complex which increased their unease.

Karen and Nate left Bennington, but the barriers to acquiring safe and affordable permanent housing still existed and were exacerbated by the pandemic. Through no fault of their own, the van became their home for 15 months. “It wasn’t ideal, but having the van was alright, and we could get places,” said Karen who would periodically stay in a motel with Nate and their yellow lab. 

What motels did not provide, the van did, according to Karen. “Living in a van definitely has its ups and downs, on one hand you have freedom.” Due to Nate’s highly specialized medical needs, Karen routinely drove between Rutland and Dartmouth Hitchcock for his medical appointments. All that travel with no homebase was tiring and the van that had become "home" began to have mechanical issues. 

The search for permanent housing they could afford continued. “I was filling out applications for housing all the time, but there was nothing open,” said Karen whose main priorities were safety, reliable transportation, and finding a decent place to call home. Karen, who homeschools Nate, admits van life was challenging although the duo made it work. 

In March 2025, Karen was offered an apartment at the newly rehabilitated Ward 5 Apartments in Barre. She jumped at the chance. They moved in quickly and settled into a light-filled apartment with large windows, hard wood floors, and one of the former school's original blackboards. Out of the nine apartments in the building, five are occupied by families who have been able to exit homelessness. 

“I am so grateful for having a place to take a hot shower whenever I want,” said Karen with a laugh, “seriously, people don’t realize how much a hot shower means when you don’t have access to one.” 

Sitting in a living room filled with house plants and cozy touches, Karen calls it her “oasis.” Nate agrees but prefers his bedroom, which is set up comfortably with his computer and gaming system. “We're all creating a new history and building a community which is important,” said Karen about the Ward 5 residents and surrounding neighbors. "We have each other's backs." Since moving in, they have hosted block parties and get togethers. There is even a path to walk the dog.

“I feel thankful for everyone who helped make this possible,” reflected Karen when asked what makes her grateful. “There are so many things – the light, the location, the dog path, and the hot showers," she laughed, "but really, for me, it’s the growing sense of community we’re building here." 

Ward 5 Apartments opened in March 2025. VHFA provided funding for the rehabilitation project along with many other partners including Downstreet Housing, which developed the property and continues to manage the apartments.