100K Homes Blog

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!

Decades after Vietnam, a Permanent Home for Ernie

Ernie served in the Navy for seven years during Vietnam before returning to Arlington, VA. He worked for a defense contractor for many years, but was eventually laid off and forced to seek sporadic work as a day laborer. When he threw his back out, even these temporary jobs became impossible. Two years ago, with no income and limited ability to work, Ernie began sleeping under a wooded overpass in Arlington County.

By Jake Maguire on November 26, 2012

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At Thanksgiving, a Home for Holly

Holly, a U.S. veteran and former combat medic, spent over 10 years homeless on the streets of Phoenix, AZ. Battling post-traumatic stress disorder with almost no medical attention, she suffered threats, violence and the sudden loss of her husband, all without the security of a home.

By Jake Maguire on November 19, 2012

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A 72-Year-Old Veteran Moves Home in Bethesda

Calvin, a 72-year-old homeless veteran, lived on the streets of Bethesda. MD for decades. Suffering from heart disease, liver disease and chronic frostbite, research shows that Calvin was unusually vulnerable to death, yet somehow, he continued to beat the odds.

By Jake Maguire on November 12, 2012

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From Castro's Cuba to a Home in L.A.

In 1980, Esmerido fled Cuba and the Castro regime on a makeshift boat bound for Florida. After securing legal residency in the United States, he eventually found his way to Southern California, where he worked as a day laborer and farm worker for several years. Then, in 1999, battling heart problems and drug addiction, he became homeless on the streets of Los Angeles.

By Jake Maguire on November 5, 2012

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In Charlotte, a Life Cut Short, but Not without a Home

This week's Monday move-in story pays tribute to William Larry Major in Charlotte, NC, and the local Campaign group that helped him find a permanent home before his death. William Larry "Chilly Willy" Major spent two decades as the most famous homeless man on the streets of Charlotte. Eight months ago, however, he moved into a permanent apartment with help from the Urban Ministry Center, a local group leading the 100,000 Homes Campaign on the ground.

By Jake Maguire on October 22, 2012

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A Home for Robert and His Faithful Pup!

Robert lived on the streets of Pasadena, CA for forty years, the last ten with his companion dog, Junior Bear. Proud of his independence, he worked for his “squat” by providing security, trash pick-up, and light maintenance. Neighbors helped him with food and veterinary care, but as he grew older, Robert knew he needed to be inside.

By Jake Maguire on October 15, 2012

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An Air Force Veteran Finds a Permanent Home

This week's Monday move-in story features Lanny in Glendale, CA. Lanny served his country as a member of the Air Force, but after returning to civilian life, he fell on hard times. Depression and constant hospitalizations made it hard for him to find and keep stable housing, and eventually, he wound up homeless on the streets of Glendale.

By Jake Maguire on October 9, 2012

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Mario's Story

This week's move-in story spotlights Mario in Santa Clara County, CA. Mario was laid off after injuring his back on the job at the Port of Oakland. His injury prevented him from finding new work, and eventually he ended up on the streets.

By Jake Maguire on October 1, 2012

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Welcome Home, Gwen!

We believe that no one is beyond the hope of housing, but success sometimes takes a long time. UNITY of Greater New Orleans, the collaborative leading the 100,000 Homes Campaign in the Big Easy, has been working to house Gwen for more than 7 years since Hurricane Katrina shuttered a local mental health clinic. During that period, Gwen has been hospitalized for psychosis nine separate times, always being discharged to her sister's care before inevitably returning to the streets.

By Jake Maguire on September 24, 2012

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Welcome Home, Sara and David!

This week's Monday move-in story spotlights Sara and David in the Silver Lake neighborhood of Los Angeles:

By Jake Maguire on September 17, 2012

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