BALTIMORE — Gary Lincoln began using drugs at just 16-years-old.
"I first started smoking marijuana, and then I progressed to pills and cocaine. By the time I was 18 to 20, I was already injecting heroin," said Lincoln.
He joined the Army at 24 as a functioning addict.
Serving two years in Germany before being discharged, Gary settled in America with his wife and two kids.
Tragedy unexpectedly struck when his wife became pregnant with their third child.
"I hit rock bottom. My wife passed away in child birth. My children ended up going to stay with my mother and brother," said Lincoln.
Overcome by grief, Gary resorted to more drugs.
Eventually he lost his house, ending up on the streets of Baltimore.
One day Gary's current partner changed his life forever.
"My significant other said to me she wanted somebody who loved her more than the streets."
So Gary went to the VA for help.
Thanks to the HUD-VASH program, Gary found an apartment.
"I'm now in an apartment with my significant other, living what I call a typical life."
HUD-VASH is a program offered through a joint partnership between the VA and Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), supporting veterans like Gary who struggle with homelessness.
"Where what we call a housing first model, so we have very limited criteria, so we can serve as many veterans as possible who are experiencing homelessness," said John Clow Assistant Chief of Social Work for CIS
Brandon Williams is Gary's case manager.
He says it wasn't an easy process to find Gary housing, but is thankful everything worked out.
Gary tells us he's been clean for nearly seven years, which has helped reconnect him to family.