The last homeless count in Durham showed, on any given night, there are more than 500 people without a home in the city. Some of them are families.

"Since I was about 12 years old I was introduced to drugs and I'd been doing marijuana and popping prescription pills ever since then," said Danny Fowler, who is staying with his wife and daughter at the Good Samaritan Inn in Durham. "When I didn't have enough of it, I would get angry with my wife. When I wanted more of it and couldn't get it, I'd take all my frustration out on her and I'd beat on her; bad decision after bad decision."

It led to a night this past March when a friend kicked Danny and his wife Jessica out of a house. The couple and their four year-old daughter had no place to go.

"My family told me and his family told him you have to learn on your own; we can't keep picking you back up when you fall," said Jessica Fowler.

The Durham Affordable Housing Coalition said the last homeless count showed there were 34 families without a home. It meant nearly 100 people in families were looking to find a place to stay.

"Some of the people here - they've lost everything," Jessica said. "Their family, their friends and everything. I'm thankful that I at least have my family to talk to."

The Fowlers are slowly getting their lives to where they want them to be. Danny and Jessica both have gone through Bible studies with the Durham Rescue Mission. They know the economy will present challenges. In the meantime, Danny is working in the mission's thrift store. He eventually wants to open his own automotive shop. Jessica wants to be a nurse assistant.

"Thank God for this place; completely turned my life around," Danny said as he sat behind the Good Samaritan Inn. "For the people out there who have families and they're in their home, don't take it for granted."