Imagine a man battling schizophrenia, forced to endure the harsh winter without a roof over his head. That’s the grim reality Robert Godin faced until his son-in-law, Jesse Damery, took matters into his own hands. But here’s where it gets controversial... Damery built a tiny, fully-insulated home in the woods for Godin, knowing full well it was illegal. Yet, he hoped this act of desperation would keep his father-in-law safe until winter’s end. And for a while, it worked—until the city stepped in and tore it down.
The story begins with Damery’s compassionate yet risky decision to construct the tiny home just before Christmas. Godin, who has struggled with homelessness for years, couldn’t stay with family or in shelters due to his mental health challenges. The tiny home was a lifeline, a sanctuary from the cold. But on Tuesday, city officials dismantled it, leaving Godin displaced once again. And this is the part most people miss... While the city claims it acted in the name of community safety, the execution raises troubling questions about compassion and mental health support.
Damery recalls the shocking scene: officials arrived in the morning, ordering Godin to leave. When he resisted, police pulled a taser, detained him, and took him downtown. Though the taser wasn’t deployed, the situation escalated quickly. Police spokesperson Scott Tracey defended the actions, stating Godin became aggressive, but Damery argues a mental health worker could have de-escalated the situation more humanely. Is this really the best way to handle someone in crisis?
Now, Godin is temporarily housed in a hotel, paid for by the city until February 9. But what happens after that? Damery laments, “We’re pretty much back to square one.” He believes the city missed an opportunity to offer a compassionate solution, like allowing Godin to stay in the tiny home until spring. Instead, the demolition felt punitive, with Godin’s belongings—food, clothing, personal items—tossed into a steel bin. While the city claims these items are stored safely, the damage was already done.
The city’s response has been vague, citing community safety and respect for Godin’s privacy. Communications officer Kyle Howard emphasized connecting individuals with county housing services, but Damery remains skeptical. He points out the destruction caused by the demolition, including the widening of the pathway, which he claims involved cutting down trees. The city denies this, stating only branches were trimmed. Who’s telling the truth? And does it matter more than the human cost?
For Damery, the experience has been exhausting and disheartening. “He was just starting to become organized,” he said of Godin. “Now he’s just another statistic swept under the rug.” This story isn’t just about a tiny home; it’s about the larger failures of our systems to address homelessness and mental health. What would you have done in Damery’s shoes? And do you think the city’s actions were justified? Let’s spark a conversation—because this isn’t just Godin’s story; it’s a reflection of our society’s values.
