When Vancouver’s Katie Vongthongthip and Chance Newbill moved into their empty, one-bedroom apartment last fall, they dreamed of turning it into a home.
A year later, it’s brimming with memories, eclectic art, second-hand treasures and a framed article from The Columbian chronicling their journey.
The Columbian has featured Vongthongthip, 31, and Newbill, 35, in a number of articles, following them from living in one of the city of Vancouver’s Safe Stay shelters to moving into their first apartment together.
Now, more than a year in their apartment in the Bagley Downs neighborhood, the couple have seen vast improvements in their lives — from their social calendar to their mental health.
A year ago, the couple told The Columbian that being in housing didn’t feel real yet. Last month, they said they still feel that way.
“It still feels like a dream living here, a fairy tale,” Vongthongthip said. “It still doesn’t feel like this is real life — even a year later.”
Life changes
On a recent afternoon, the couple’s 3-year-old dog — a pitbull and husky mix — rested her snout on the window sill, watching the outside world.
The couple said since moving into their apartment, they’ve had time to focus on their larger goals.
Newbill has made significant progress in securing Supplemental Security Income and said his mental health and sobriety have never been stronger. Vongthongthip is taking computer programming courses through the nonprofit Hadley, formerly Hadley Institute for the Blind and Visually Impaired. She hopes to use her new skills to pursue a variety of career paths, like matching people with guide dogs.
“Life changes when you don’t have to worry about where you will sleep or how you are going to get dinner,” Vongthongthip said.
Ultimately, the couple dreams of starting their own animal shelter.
Their social lives have also blossomed.
Vongthongthip said many friends distanced themselves after she began losing her vision, and living at the Safe Stay shelter made hosting visitors challenging. But once she and Newbill settled into their new home, she joined many social media groups and began to build a new circle of friends.
Now, her weekends are filled with hiking adventures and movie nights with friends. The couple hosted their first Friendsgiving, which they said they hope to make a tradition in their apartment.
“I can have friends over, cook for them, watch TV and just relax. It feels like we’re living a normal life. It’s something I’ve always dreamed about,” Vongthongthip said.
‘Anything is possible’
Having a stable home has given them the freedom to explore new passions. Vongthongthip enjoys experimenting with recipes in their kitchen, while Newbill has been teaching their dog, Nova, a series of new tricks.
“I’m finding myself again and can do what I love again and find more passions,” Vongthongthip said.
The couple have also noticed a change in how strangers treat them. When they were homeless, they were often cast aside or ignored. Now, people treat them with basic respect.
“When you’re making an appointment or going to the doctor, one of the first questions they ask you is, ‘What’s your address?’ When you say you don’t have one, you just notice the difference in how people start treating you,” Newbill said.
The couple said they strive to spread kindness and compassion to those in the same difficult situation they were once in.
“I was that person people were scared of on the side of the street. I can relate to those people,” Newbill said. “Now, we get the chance to give back to people who we once were.”
In the next year, the couple’s goals are to continue growing, finding new passions and spending quality time together.
“Before it was impossible to have goals. Every day there were different goals and challenges of getting food, finding a safe place to sleep. Now, we can see further off into the future,” Newbill said. “Anything is possible now.”
