Gaining Ground

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In Their Words

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Foundation for Purpose

Good days begin at home, the foundation for family life, stability and success, and a place of respite.

The place we feel at home often plays a central part in our personal stories about who we are, who and what’s important in our lives and where we’re headed professionally and personally. Without secure housing, it’s difficult to focus on other areas of life.

HASCO clients tell us—over and over and over—how getting needed support for housing makes it possible to move forward in life. Often in transformative ways.

We ask clients to share their stories because they inspire and remind us that the path forward often starts when we find our way home.

People with Disabilities

Building on Capabilities

These HASCO renters remind us that home is essential to living our best lives and facing limitations with grace.

Diana’s Story

My name is Diana. I am 36 years old and I have a crippling disease called...

My name is Diana. I am 36 years old and I have a crippling disease called Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA), which eats my joints, since I was 3 years old. I’ve been hospitalized and had more surgeries than I can even count in my lifetime. And, if that isn’t enough, I’ve also had Fibromyalgia, which attacks my muscles, for the past 12 years. I am unable to work due to these challenges, which puts me on a tight income from Social Security.

Before I received Section 8 Assistance, life was a “Huge” struggle. I never knew where I was going to live or how I was going to make ends meet. I was able to work before I got the Fibromyalgia but I would have flare ups with my JRA, which would put me in the hospital, making me lose my jobs, in turn making me lose my place to live. I spent a lot of time staying with people but that never lasted very long. Turns out people are always willing to take your money but not willing to help when you get sick.

Growing up with the JRA, I was always told by doctors that I would be paralyzed and in a wheelchair by the age of 16 and would be in a nursing home-type facility….I would never be able to live or function on my own. But I decided early on that, yes, I have a crippling disease…not a death sentence. I was bound and determined to live as much of a “normal” life as possible and took on life as a challenge.

I have received Section 8 Assistance for the last 6 years now and I feel so blessed. I no longer have to worry where I’m going to live or how I’m going to make ends meet. I don’t have to worry about what’s going to happen when I get sick or end up in the hospital.

My life has been full of struggles but, thanks to the Section 8 program, living with my disabilities and all the challenges that come with them has been so much easier to deal with.

For me, this program has been life changing…a godsend. Thank you, Section 8!

Carla’s Story

A graduate of Edmonds High School, Carla and her boyfriend moved to Spokane where she attended college. In January 2001 she suffered from a brain aneurism...

A graduate of Edmonds High School, Carla and her boyfriend moved to Spokane where she attended college. In January 2001 she suffered from a brain aneurism.

Carla remembers both of her grandmothers had an aneurism and it was really traumatic for her. Carla stayed in a nursing home (not far from Spokane) for 1 month. Carla was released to her parents’ home in Edmonds to recuperate and participate in physical therapy. In September 2001, Carla had another aneurism.

Carla applied for housing support based on her medical condition in January 2002.

Carla states, “I don’t know if my family would have been able to take care of me. I need the help and there was a time when I was depressed.” Carla’s medical condition requires that she use a dialysis machine due to further complications with her health.

“Walt at the Housing Authority helped me to get where I am now. I have a case manager through DVR who helps me with trying to locate part-time work and helps me with my paperwork and other personal affairs. My house is now a home and I love my home. This is a blessing. I am very fortunate and believe God is good.”

Charles’ Story

When Charles checked into the hospital in December 2010, he gave up everything he owned except the clothes on his back and the briefcase he carried with him...

When Charles checked into the hospital in December 2010, he gave up everything he owned except the clothes on his back and the briefcase he carried with him. For six years prior to entering the hospital, he had suffered from a series of illnesses that interfered with his ability to work and drained what few assets he had been able to accumulate during his working life.

Charles now has a stable home with his NED Category 2 voucher. Thanks to his voucher, he is beginning to recover his health and is starting to think about what kinds of employment would be possible for him, given his health and age. He feels that “this program is going to enable [him] to get back on [his] feet and become a regular taxpaying citizen again.” He says he can’t thank the staff at HASCO and DSHS enough for all of the assistance he’s received to establish a new home in Snohomish County.

Happy baby boy having fun with his military dad at home. Mother is in the background.

Veterans

From Homeless to Hopeful

Each of these veterans lived through extremely difficult situations while in service and later in their lives. Through HASCO’s partnership with the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) program, each found their footing through stable housing.

Miles’ Story

The VASH program has touched the lives of many homeless veterans. Miles’ success story is best heard in his own words...

The VASH program has touched the lives of many homeless veterans. Miles’ success story is best heard in his own words:

“Both [my wife] Deni and I have been gainfully employed all our lives, raised 6 great kids, while Deni was a very successful Realtor in Washington and California, myself a construction project manager, Sheriff volunteer and motorcycle officer for the Washington State motorcade, until one fine day in August of 2007, while I was traveling (on duty) along in Edmonds with my emergency lights and sirens in use, when an impaired driver pulled out in front of me, leaving me nowhere to go but into and over a car, finally having my 800 lb. motorcycle land on me. I was taken to Stevens Hospital in Edmonds and then airlifted from there to Harborview Trauma Center in Seattle. I was in good hands and had my heart restarted a few times during the trip.

“Our savings and home were lost by mid-2009. Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (my particular case manager) wasn’t doing much for me even though I begged! We became homeless and began our lives living in a garage. Deni worked as much as she could, commuting from Mukilteo to Tukwila daily. I did my best between surgeries and counseling. It wasn’t long before we felt hopeless, carless (it died) and jobless, yet we struggled on with smiles and thanks to those who tried to help us. The economy and the housing market fell, leaving Deni without other work.

“Late in 2011, Labor and Industries fired my case manager and took notice of the situation I was in through no fault of my own. Still, we were living in the cold but had food assistance and a small income. So much had hit us over the time that had passed since the…accident. We were depressed and felt very little self-worth.

“It was October of 2011 and out of total desperation that I took a two-hour bus ride to the Housing Authority of Snohomish County [office] in Everett. Upon arriving I climbed an interior stairway to the second floor and a friendly face behind a large glass window. The receptionist was busy and on the telephone explaining to someone that the HUD housing list was about three years out, but that they would be wise to fill out an application and get on the list. I smiled and began my descent back to hopelessness again when I heard the kindest voice ask me if she (the receptionist) might help me?

“It was about 10:30, the sun had just shown through the windows of the small reception area and I felt pretty good because of the peace I felt from behind the glass. I walked up to the window and politely said that I’d overheard the conversation she’d just completed and understood. She asked me to tell her a little bit about my situation. I did, and was asked to take a seat for a few minutes. After no more than five minutes, I was greeted by [VASH Clinician] Chris Horner, who immediately made me feel welcome, upbeat, and deserving of the help I was about to be given.

“After several days the support documents I needed were given to me by [the Housing Authority]. We were approved for housing assistance and were able to secure an apartment, a home, before Christmas. For us, just short of a miracle.

“My wife and I are so thankful for the sincere, professional and compassionate manner that HASCO and VASH have shown us through these two extraordinary ladies, Chris and [Housing Coordinator] Phyllis.”

Jeff's Story

Prior to becoming homeless, Jeff was injured on the job and unable to work...

Prior to becoming homeless, Jeff was injured on the job and unable to work. He “made some bad choices” which led to homelessness. He had been living out of his car and relying on family for a few years when he received his VASH voucher. Travelling from family member to family member was very stressful, he said since he felt that he was disturbing their routines with his presence. As a “fairly organized type of guy,” having his belongings in the trunk of his car was frustrating, like living out of a large suitcase. While homeless, he was diagnosed with anxiety and mild depression, which he believes will go away now that his voucher provides him and his son with a stable place to live.

Thanks to his VASH voucher, he and his son now live in their own place, each with their own bedroom. Jeff is also attending college. He believes that thanks to his housing, both he and his son will gain independence and confidence. Having a stable place for his family to live has given him a “better outlook on life” and “made [his] life more complete.” He says that he can’t give enough thanks to everyone whose hands touched the paperwork that led to his voucher.

Voucher Holders

Hub For Progress

Getting a stable place to make into home helped each of these clients turn a corner in life. From a teenaged adult leaving foster care to parents learning to be responsible caretakers and single adults finding themselves in dire financial circumstances, each speaks to the importance of home.

Marilyn’s Story

“When my health went, I was devastated. My future in my mind led to living in a room in a house...

“When my health went, I was devastated. My future in my mind led to living in a room in a house – not in a decent area – a bag lady that would live in an underpass with my shopping cart! Then my life was blessed with a slot in housing! After one or two living places, I found the place! I’ve been here several years. The grounds are unbelievable – the homes are excellent. I don’t feel poor anymore! This is a beautiful place to call “home” and be proud!

I’m sure many others feel the same, but I hope you find a few minutes to read this and realize what a blessing, a change in someone’s life and enables us to have a place we can call “home.” Thank you so much for your help over the years.”

Jason’s Story

“I have been homeless for close to 15 years with the Department of Corrections being my main source of stability, with great heartache to me and my family...

“I have been homeless for close to 15 years with the Department of Corrections being my main source of stability, with great heartache to me and my family. One year into recovery from addiction, my 3-year-old daughter was removed from her mom’s care and put into foster care. With my clean and sober housing coming to an end, I was at a turning point in my recovery. No housing, my daughter in foster care – things weren’t looking so good.

“Then [the FUP] program came into my life and offered a solution to mine and my daughter’s [housing] problem. When I found out it was real, I couldn’t stop crying tears of joy. I was now going to get a real chance at being a dad and living a life that I had only ever dreamed of, and have never been able to do on my own.

“Taking full advantage of all the help provided to me, I have a full-time career and I am a full-time daddy. I not only feel like a member of society, I am! Today I live an honest, clean life and provide a healthy environment for my 3-year-old and myself. I view this housing program as the anchor/foundation to my success.

“Coming up on three years of sobriety, I am looking forward to becoming fully self-supporting, on my own, for me and my daughter. I couldn’t express my feelings and gratitude without real tears of joy. The Housing Authority of Snohomish County has provided me a solid foundation to a new and healthy life. Thank you so much.”

Aaron’s Story

“Hi, my name is Aaron. I’m 19 and currently afflicted with chronic fatigue syndrome and actively in counseling for post-traumatic stress disorder...

“Hi, my name is Aaron. I’m 19 and currently afflicted with chronic fatigue syndrome and actively in counseling for post-traumatic stress disorder. I’ve been living with chronic fatigue for about two years now. My quality of life has been impacted largely due to not being able to do basic tasks. [At] times, something as simple as cleaning my apartment can take several days, working from room to room and resting. Oftentimes I have to reserve the day for appointments or grocery shopping because I know that I will feel poorly afterwards. It has prohibited me from attending school on a regular basis and from working.

“For a time I stayed in a transitional living house with 10 rooms; it was all that I could afford. I lived with recovering addicts, people that needed low-income housing, and also veterans. I stayed there for 9 months living off my savings, which was dwindling fast.

“I started working with Youthnet and discovered that I qualified for a FUP voucher. I was in my new apartment within two months just down the street from the housing authority office. They were extremely nice and helped me find a good reputable apartment complex near essential bus lines and stores. If it hadn’t been for HASCO I would have been homeless waiting for my pending disability case.

“It’s been 6 months that I’ve lived here, and I’m quite happy. I have had my disability hearing and am currently waiting for the written outcome. HASCO helped me more than my own family in some ways; for that I am eternally grateful. Thank you!”

Jena’s Story

“About 16 months ago I struggled with a drug addiction that I thought I could never overcome. It was killing me. It broke me away from my children and my family, who meant the world to me...

“About 16 months ago I struggled with a drug addiction that I thought I could never overcome. It was killing me. It broke me away from my children and my family, who meant the world to me.

“I found out I was going to have another baby. One baby before was not enough to get me sober. But something clicked in me this time. I wanted a different way of life. I found a 6-month inpatient treatment before I gave birth to my baby. I knew CPS would be there to take her from me, and they were, but I had a plan and told them I was not going to give up on this baby, and to please place her with family for 6 months [until] I could get a bed, and I would prove I could do this.

“So, about 3 months later I got my inpatient bed. I was CPS-involved and determined to get my little girl back. So I did what I had to do – I stayed clean, waiting for my bed. And I could not believe my eyes when they placed my baby back in my care. That was huge for me.

“Well, it was getting close to our discharge and we had nowhere to go. Too many housing programs were full and if I had nowhere to go, my baby could not leave with me. I was a mess, thinking I was going to lose what I worked so hard to get back, but my CPS worker said, “I can get you a housing program. It’s new and you would be the third person to get on the program. I was so happy. It is through the Housing Authority of Snohomish County.” Little did I know I would be getting Section 8 and my own place. It was a struggle to get someone to rent to me but I found this place and had my heart set on it. And thanks to Phyllis, she talked to [the landlord] and got me in.

“If it was not for Phyllis and the Housing Authority, I don’t think I would be in my own place the last 9 months. I have almost 17 months clean, my license back, my own home and full custody of my baby girl, and I am working and going to college full-time. I want to thank Phyllis and the Housing Authority – you guys changed my life.”