MY STORY

Daniel Barrett’s life began on a dairy farm in a small Massachusetts town, where he grew up with his thirteen siblings. In the early 1960s, limited economic opportunities meant that his family relied heavily on their own labor to run the farm. This upbringing gave Daniel valuable experience in dairy and horse trading. However, in 1969, his parents sold the farm and moved the family to Florida, continuing their involvement in horse trading and investing in a motel/restaurant and service station as a family business.

In 1971, Daniel’s life changed dramatically when his parents underwent a difficult divorce. The court granted custody of Daniel and seven of his siblings to the state. On the day of the ruling, Daniel’s mother made an emotional plea to the judge for a brief stay with her children before they were taken into custody. She then fled Florida with Daniel and his siblings, beginning a decade-long struggle with poverty, homelessness, and hunger.

Living as fugitives, Daniel and his siblings attended a correspondence school designed for travelers. They faced harsh living conditions, residing in cars, random buildings, a cabin, a barn, and eventually a retired school bus converted into a recreational vehicle. In 1975, after his mother remarried, the family moved to Washington State. There, they acquired an off-grid property without basic utilities including water and electric residing in the converted bus. Despite receiving disability payments due to his stepfather’s multiple sclerosis, the family’s financial situation was dire. At fifteen, Daniel decided to leave home to ease the burden on his younger siblings.

In 1976, Daniel set out on his own with just a backpack containing few basic items. He returned to Puget Sound, WA, finding temporary shelter in wooded areas and working various odd jobs. While cutting wood, he suffered a severe chainsaw accident that required plastic surgery. With no place to recover, Daniel returned to work and continued living without stable housing. Determined to complete his education, Daniel enrolled in a high school program, studying under challenging conditions, often using traffic lights to read at night. He avoided shelters and panhandling to prevent being placed in foster care, facing uncertainty in meals and housing.

After losing his wood-cutting job, Daniel found refuge when a Baptist minister and his wife allowed him to camp on an abandoned lot near their property. There, he found peace and religion and secured a temporary job at a Naval Fuel Supply Depot, hitchhiking 26 miles each day to work. Despite these hardships, Daniel’s mother instilled resilience and compassion in him, teaching him that their circumstances did no t define them. Her encouragement inspired Daniel to dream of a better future and fueled his desire to help others.

Driven by determination, Daniel excelled academically, earning credits to graduate and securing a college scholarship at sixteen. He studied business law and urban planning, becoming aware of systemic issues like homelessness and inadequate housing. His volunteer work at a Christian sponsored shelter deepened his commitment to addressing these challenges.  

While continuing his education, Daniel moved to California to join a nonprofit organization focused on affordable housing solutions. His academic background provided valuable insights, allowing him to engage with organizations developing programs integrating housing with education, job training, and healthcare to break the cycle of poverty.

Daniel dedicated himself to managing affordable housing units, offering hope and stability to countless families. He gained expertise in multi-family apartment buildings and real estate trades, specializing in affordable housing management and earning multiple certifications.

Since 1993, Daniel has overseen the management of thousands of affordable housing units regulated by various programs, driven by his unwavering commitment to helping those in need. In 2004, he was invited to apply with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), specifically with the Office of Public and Indian Housing Real Estate Assessment Center (REAC) in Washington, D.C. There, he earned certification to conduct official HUD REAC UPCS Inspections. Daniel carried out physical compliance inspections on thousands of units, ensuring strict adherence to health and safety standards for occupied units owned by private corporations under contract with HUD.

Legacy and Impact

Daniel Barrett’s journey from experiencing poverty to becoming a champion for housing rights is a powerful testament to perseverance and empathy. His work has not only provided practical solutions to homelessness but also underscored the crucial links between housing, health, and economic stability.  Throughout his career, Daniel has empowered individuals by fostering environments where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. 

His legacy is characterized by compassion, innovation, and an unwavering dedication to improving the lives of those most in need.

Daniel continues to be a beacon of hope, demonstrating that with determination and a heart for service, one person can significantly impact the lives of many.