Inspiring

We always knew this day would come, but it used to seem much further away! Today, the 100,000 Homes Campaign announced that its participating communities had housed more than 50,000 chronic and vulnerable homeless Americans. That number includes more than 1,000 families, 5,000 seniors, and 15,000 veterans of the United States armed forces. We couldn't be prouder to celebrate this day.

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.

Eight communities gathered in Los Angeles this month to participate in the first Acceleration Boot Camp, a 3-day training event designed to reinvent the way local organizations move their homeless neighbors into permanent housing. The event builds on the success of previous Housing Placement Boot Camps, which targeted housing systems for homeless veterans.

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.

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.

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?

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.

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.