We house the homeless but we need help to furnish new homes people are moving into.

The Sakura So residence, a 100-year-old boarding house, has finally been renovated and the 38 units are now being moved into. Our problem is there is no more money left to pay for simple furnishings -- a bed, dresser, microwave, table and two chairs.

Many of the tenants are like Michael and Leeann (seen in our video). Hard luck, in this case Leann's many trips to the hospital, depleted the Prince George couple's savings until they had nothing left.

While Leeann received care, Michael lived homeless but visited her daily in the hospital. Once Leeann was healthy and released, they eventually landed on the doorstep of our Downtown Eastside shelter where they were taken in.

Eventually we found a place for them in the Sakura So, which offers transitional housing for those working towards independent living.

The couple are working towards greater independence and living in a place of their own. But for now we need to furnish the unit they live in, along with the 37 other units. Many of the tenants have histories similar to Michael and Leaane.

With your support we can furnish each unit for a cost of $670 per room -- a bed, dresser, microwave, table and chairs.

ABOUT THE SAKURA SO: The Sakuro So Residence, located on Powell Street, provides second-stage housing for people who have a history of repeated homelessness. It is a place where they are able to build community, rebuild and stabilize their lives with the help of skilled on-site staff.

ABOUT HOMELESSNESS: The first thing you have to know is no one chooses homelessness. It is the bottom of the social and economic ladder. You suffer from social isolation, criminal victimization, poor health from exposure to the weather and a host of other conditions.

The second thing to understand is that few climb out of homelessness on their own. It takes a community to help those who are needy and destitute. That community is made up of the Lookout Society, other service providers and you.