Many people in Norwood have seen Chris.

He’s often near or in the gazebo on Norwood Common — quiet, respectful, keeping to himself. For about a year and a half, he’s been part of the landscape of our town, even if most of us don’t know his name or his story.

I got to know Chris by stopping to talk one day. Over time, I learned that his homelessness didn’t come from bad choices or a lack of effort — it came from a series of life-altering losses, all within a short span of time.

About two years ago, Chris lost both his mother and his brother, his only remaining family. Around that same period, he was forced out of his apartment when rent rose dramatically. He also lives with serious health challenges that make standing or walking for long periods painful and unsafe — especially in winter.

Chris has had an active CHAMP housing application for over a year. The system is slow, but there is movement. His representative at Norwood Housing has been working diligently to advocate for him and push his application forward. We are hopeful that permanent housing will come in 2026.

The problem is the space in between.

Right now, thanks to a local business owner in town, Chris is safely housed in a local hotel through January 4th (he's been there since December 4th). However, without more support, he risks returning to the cold during the harshest months of the year.

What This Fund Is For

This fundraiser exists for one clear purpose:

To cover temporary motel or hotel housing for the remainder of winter (approximately 4 months), so Chris can:

Stay safe and warm

Avoid sleeping outside in freezing conditions

Maintain stability while housing placement is finalized

This is not a long-term solution — it’s a bridge.

Chris is not asking for luxury, and he’s not looking for handouts. He’s asking for time — time for the system to work, time to heal, time to step into stable housing when it becomes available.

Those who know him know this: Chris carries himself with humility, gratitude, and quiet faith. Even after everything he’s lost, he still talks about wanting to help others one day.

If you’ve ever passed him on the Common and wondered how you could help — this is a concrete, meaningful way to do so.

If you’re able to donate, thank you.

If you’re able to share, thank you.

You’re helping ensure that a neighbor does not spend another winter night in the cold while waiting for a door to finally open.

With gratitude,

A Norwood neighbor