Homeless Man, 33, Dies Days Before Moving Into Permanent Home
Bethesda Cares client Christopher Page was found dead on the streets of Bethesda May 27.
A 33-year-old homeless man was found dead on the streets of Bethesda days before he was set to move into permanent housing, according to advocacy group Bethesda Cares.
Christopher Page, a Bethesda Cares client, was found dead May 27. He died of ethanol and methadone intoxication, according to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in Baltimore.
Page was set to sign off on the paperwork for his new apartment in Wheaton June 4.
An Army veteran, Page suffered from mental health and substance abuse issues, and had been living on the streets for about seven years, according to Bethesda Cares outreach specialist John Mendez. In Bethesda, Page usually slept near Cordell Avenue and Wisconsin Avenue.
Recently, however, Page had received a housing voucher through the HUD-VASH program, which supports homeless veterans, Mendez said.
“Chris had seen the apartment and liked it, and the landlord had approved him,” Mendez told Patch. “The housing voucher had already been issued by HOC, and he was going to get his key and sign his lease.”
Page was a part of Bethesda Cares’ initiative to place homeless men and women into permanent housing as a part of the 100,000 Homes Campaign, a nationwide effort aimed to house 100,000 of the most vulnerable homeless individuals by July of 2013. The campaign tasks communities with creating a by-name registry of homeless individuals in order to help service providers match them with resources and assist them into permanent housing.
The initiative focuses on placing the most vulnerable “chronically homeless” – those most at risk of dying on the street -- into permanent housing, rather than shelters or substance abuse programs.
Advocates have argued that the "housing first" approach is the most effective way to combat street homelessness.
After Bethesda Cares conducted outreach work with Page and determined he was eligible for HUD-VASH about four months ago, the VA and the county’s Housing Opportunities Commission partnered to issue him the voucher, Mendez said, "probably the fastest I've seen a homeless veteran issued a voucher in the times since we've had HUD-VASH."
But Page didn’t show up the day he was set to sign his lease, and Mendez couldn’t find him on Bethesda’s streets. Later that day, the Bethesda Cares team learned that he had passed away.
“This tragic situation just goes to highlight how much more medically vulnerable these people are when they’re out there in the elements, dealing with issues like substance abuse,” Mendez said.
russresearcher
12:00 pm on Wednesday, June 20, 2012
So sorry to hear this news:-(
russresearcher
10:56 am on Thursday, June 21, 2012
It makes me doubly sad that more people haven't commented:-(
CareBear
5:17 pm on Saturday, June 23, 2012
Nobody has commented because he's not from Maryland. He is my brother and he is from California. The family just found out on the 22nd (yesterday) of his death.
James
12:50 pm on Thursday, June 21, 2012
May his Soul rest in Peace.
Unfortunately there still many of us out there due to various reasons are sleeping on the streets of Bethesda.And don't assume we're all homeless because of laziness or substance abuse.
In my case I lost my job then got into legal issues (immigration) with no family support I found myself on the street.Bethesda cares refuses to assist those who don't fit the homeless stereotype persona (mental health/addictions)
There needs to be major reform in some of these organizations that claim to want to help the homeless.
CareBear
5:24 pm on Saturday, June 23, 2012
True, Bethesda Cares. They really do care!!! I will forever be grateful for them and especially to John Mendez for showing my brother that their is still hope.
SicKofLiberals
6:30 pm on Friday, June 22, 2012
GREAT NEWS for WORKING PEOPLE!!!!
DEAD DRUG ADDICTS are GOOD for HUMANS !!!!
THE BLEEDING HEARTS THAT ALLOW THIS SCUM TO FLOURISH SHOULD FOLLOW THESE RATS to THEIR REWARD!!!!
Mad about it!
7:04 pm on Saturday, June 23, 2012
You are not a human! you need to respect the dead and the family they have left behind I hope that one day you feel the pain that we feel and someone disrespect you in the same manner that you have done to us!
lele23
4:17 pm on Saturday, September 29, 2012
This man was an army veteran who served his country. How dare you call him (or any human whose story you don't know) scum? You give more credence to liberals than conservatives with the heartlessness of your post.
CareBear
5:14 pm on Saturday, June 23, 2012
How DARE you call my brother scum!! You don't know his story, you don't even know him! The only SCUM I see is YOU!! I hope you rot in HELL!!!!
CareBear
5:33 pm on Saturday, June 23, 2012
Christopher R. Page is my brother whom I'd been trying to find for a long time. He's very far away from home, and it sickens me that he died alone, on the streets. I was trying to get him home, but God wanted to bring him to his true home. I pray he is in heaven with his wife, and they are looking over their daughter. His death is a huge loss for us, and we will never be the same. We love you Chris!!! We always have!!!
Barbie
1:47 am on Sunday, July 1, 2012
My condolences for you, Carebear, and you your family, I just learned about his death from Peg, we found this thread on him. May he rest in peace, and may you find peace knowing he is with our heavenly Father, where there is no pain, only unconditional love.
amazed
6:38 pm on Saturday, June 23, 2012
WOW...sick of liberals!! you obviously have no MORALS either!! You dont know the story of why this man was the way he was. Not all people in this position are deadbeats..some of them fell into a bad situation and unfortunatly dont know how to fix it. I dont know him but i am friends with a cousin of his...and as a DECENT person, regardless of the situation you should feel compasion for someone that has passed away..and have some RESPECT for the ones left behind! You should be ashamed of yourself for being so cold.
Andrea Adkins-Rapport
10:48 pm on Saturday, June 23, 2012
Rest in peace, Chris. I will always cherish the memories and fun we had when we were kids!! Your friend, Andrea
sky sepulveda
4:55 pm on Sunday, June 24, 2012
Chris was a good hearted person and I will miss him! I will always remember him for who he really was and not the sickness he suffered from. Chris was a great friend! rest in peace bro, you will always be in our thoughts!
Amik
5:17 pm on Sunday, June 24, 2012
My love goes out to his family and I hope this tragedy is a reminder to us all of the danger, loss and heartache associated with substance abuse. I know this family tried desperately to help so there should be no blame or guilt with his passing ... my heart feels he's finally at peace
Amik
5:21 pm on Sunday, June 24, 2012
My love goes out to his family and I hope this tragedy is a reminder to us all of the dangers, loss and heartache associated with substance abuse. I know this family tried desperately to help so there should be no blame or guilt with his passing ... my heart feels he's finally at peace
Alma Adams
11:17 pm on Sunday, June 24, 2012
How insensitive can a person be, who would speak with disgraceful words, without any respect for the dead. I believe this so call human, speaks this way as its soul is empty and hollow, and its a very unhappy being. I feel very sorry for you, as you do not know the values of life. Chris was a kind and good man, he was lost, the family tried to help him, and most important he was loved by many people. He was not perfect but no one is perfect. He is and was my nephew and we will always remember him. He is now in a much better place, where there will be no more suffering and pain. God has taken him and he is now at peace. Chris, rest in peace, you are now safe and happy. We your family love you. ♥
Chad
9:59 pm on Tuesday, August 7, 2012
Chris and I were best friends for a long period in my life. After leaving our hometown, we both grew apart as we joined different military services. Life wasn't always easy, but it's better when someone has your back and Chris, you and your Family always had mine. I wish I could have been around to help you during your times of need. I want to thank you for your courage to join the military. You met a Beautiful wife and had a beautiful baby girl. I am truly going to miss you Bro! Love you Chris, Carrie, Cheryl, and Linda. Hopefully one day I will be able to meet your daughter and share some of my great memories of you with her. I'll see you again someday. Love you Man!
Gus Fring
5:12 pm on Thursday, October 4, 2012
Where can I get methadone in Bethesda? Sadly this could just as easily have happened indoors.