Blog: Communities

Across the country, 100,000 Homes communities have made incredible progress on housing their most vulnerable homeless neighbors. Their stories show that homelessness can be solved!

"Now I have something to live for..."

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.

By Jake Maguire on April 22, 2013

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Out of the Snow and into a 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.

By Jake Maguire on March 25, 2013

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A Home for Wanda and 72 Others

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.

By Jake Maguire on March 11, 2013

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For Victoria, Permanent Housing Brings Renewed Family Ties

Victoria spent most of her adult life homeless in Kansas City, but severe anxiety and a constant battle with substance abuse prevented her from staying in shelters. Instead, she spent night after night in parks and forested campsites, even during the region’s cold, snowy winters. This past year, with help from reStart Inc, the organization leading the 100,000 Homes Campaign in Kansas City, Victoria moved her into her first permanent apartment in 13 years.

By Jake Maguire on March 4, 2013

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A Warm New Home in a Very Cold Capital

Bernard grew up in Southwest Washington, DC before falling into homelessness over five years ago. During that time, he stayed on the streets of Chinatown, near the home of his beloved Washington Wizards basketball team. This December, at the start of an unusually cold winter, Bernard moved into a permanent apartment with the help of Pathways to Housing DC, an organization participating in the 100,000 Homes Campaign in the capital region. His favorite thing about the new space?

By Jake Maguire on February 22, 2013

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After 6 Months in Housing, a Remarkable Transformation

Judith spent 6 years on the streets of Austin, TX, weathering bitter cold in winter and grueling heat in summer. Volunteers with ECHO, the coalition of groups leading the 100,000 Homes Campaign in Austin, first met Judith outside a local emergency shelter on a very cold November night. She reported breathing problems and more than 3 visits to the emergency room in the previous 3 months, suggesting serious medical vulnerability.

By Jake Maguire on February 11, 2013

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Sober and Housed after 14 Years

Mr. C. was kicked out of a family member's apartment in 1999 when his drinking got out of hand. Since then, he's been living under a bridge in Arlington, VA, just outside the nation's capital. In July of last year, after more than 20 years of alcohol abuse, Mr. C. took his last drink and checked into a long-term shelter and treatment center. He has been sober ever since.

By Jake Maguire on February 4, 2013

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Counting Them One By One: A Volunteer's Story

Over 8,000 volunteers have participated in 100,000 Homes Registry Weeks across the country since the Campaign launched in 2010. We often get asked to describe the experience to others, but we'd rather let you hear it firsthand from a participant.

By Jake Maguire on February 1, 2013

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Shari Will Turn 50 in Her Own Home

Shari became homeless in Tulsa in 2009. After four years in shelters and on the streets, she resigned herself to the possibility that she might never again have a place of her own. Then, last month, she came to the Mental Health Association in Tulsa, the local organization leading the 100,000 Homes Campaign. Within six weeks, the group had identifed housing options for Shari and moved her into a permanent, fully furnished apartment.

By Jake Maguire on January 28, 2013

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Making Street Counts Count

(PHOTO: Diane Pierce and Stacia Gillet hand knitted 230 woolen caps for Oklahoma City volunteers to use as incentives to get unsheltered homeless people to take the Vulnerability Index survey.)

By Jake Maguire on January 24, 2013

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