An elderly Canadian man has been forced to live in his car for several months following an eviction from his home.

Seventy-six-year-old David Turner found himself without a roof over his head in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, after accumulating significant debt and falling behind on his rent payments.

Turner now resides in his KIA SUV, where he manages all aspects of daily life—from sleeping to eating—surrounded by bags of clothing, dining utensils, and personal items.

Identifying himself as a grandfather, Turner has endured homelessness for over a year.

For Turner, the most challenging aspect of his situation is the overwhelming sense of isolation.

“That hurts,” Turner shared with CTV News. “Being alone all of the time.”

He has lived in his car through harsh winters and spent time in emergency shelters, describing it as a ‘very depressing’ experience.

While hopping between shelters, he says he nearly missed a surprise Christmas package his family in Halifax had sent him.

David Turner, 76, has been living, eating and sleeping in his car for more than two months

Turner, of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, also experienced homelessness in 2024

Turner’s voice cracked as he recalled the gift: ‘There was mail there from my two grandchildren in Halifax.

‘There was a Tim’s card and pictures of my grandkids and that brought tears to my eyes.’

He added: ‘It was supposed to be Christmas, but I got it and I called it my birthday present.’

Turner blamed rising living expenses in Canada for his heartbreaking situation.

The 76-year-old said: ‘The cost of everything is just crazy.

‘Seniors are struggling because of the cost of living, the cost of rent [and] the lack of affordable housing.’

Prince Edward Island authorities admitted in a report last year that the area is grappling with an aging population and higher demand for senior living facilities and age-friendly housing options.

Turner said the rising cost of living in Canada was to blame for his situation

The housing strategy report added that the area’s housing supply was ‘no longer keeping up’ with its population growth, which led all Canadian provinces and territories over the last five years.

Turner said he has a pension but that it does not go far enough to cover rent.

He added that he could not live in senior housing options because his pension was ‘over the cutoff limit.’

Last year, Turner initially took refuge at the Bedford MacDonald House, a 10-bed men’s shelter operated by the Salvation Army that offers 21-day stays.

He ‘timed out’ his stay two days before Christmas and moved to the Park Street Emergency Shelter, which he found ‘unnerving.’

‘People have reported that things have been stolen from their possessions,’ he said of the shelter.

The Prince Edward Island man received ‘fantastic help’ from a woman ‘a little younger than me’ at the local outreach center, he said last year.

Prince Edward Island authorities said the area’s aging population demanded senior housing options

Turner said Canada was in a housing ‘crisis’

Turner also participated in the Salvation Army breakfast program Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, which he called ‘tremendous.’

However, he said Canada was living in a housing ‘crisis’ with a ‘desperate’ apartment crunch.

Turner intends to look for a new home soon, although he added that other crucial payments might need to come first.

He said: ‘I’m working as quickly and best I can to get rid of my debt.

‘I have my other bills, my medications, my car expenses.’