100K Homes Blog

Larry has a biting wit that has always been pretty dark, revealing a self-proclaimed sense of hopelessness. During his 18 years on the streets, he slept with a knife in his hand for protection nearly every night. But after just four weeks in housing, Larry’s demeanor has taken a remarkable turn.

Arnell grew up in a poor neighborhood in Indianapolis during a turbulent time. He was removed from his mother's care at a young age and placed in a foster home where, as the only African American in his community, he never felt comfortable. Looking back, he says he knows how much his foster family cared for him, but at the time, all he wanted to do was go home.

Eustace spent over 10 years on the streets of Salt Lake City, sleeping outside in freezing temperatures, often on snow covered ground. Over time, he turned to alcohol to make homelessness more manageable. By the start of this year, his health was deteriorating rapidly, resulting in weekly, costly trips to the emergency room.

Wanda spent eight years homeless in San Diego. Her health deteriorated badly on the streets, but years of distrusting the system led her to feel that it was still safer to live outdoors than it was to seek help. Over time, outreach workers from PATH, one of the organizations leading the 100,000 Homes Campaign throughout Southern California, met with her on the streets, gradually building a relationship of trust and respect. Finally, Wanda agreed to let them connect her to supportive services and a shot at housing.