history: There was a time where I was homeless for about a year, but I always held out hope that things would get better. Man I am so glad I was able to climb out of poverty. That's quite an accomplishment. You must have worked very hard.
current: I was homeless for about a year.  It felt like every day I would just descened even further.  But I always held out hope that things would get better.
next: That must have been a very hard time. Your persistence led you to this success because you never gave up that hope.