The following stories show the positive impact that housing assistance has had on the lives of some of HASCO’s clients.
Non-Elderly Disabled Category 2 (NED-2) Vouchers
These vouchers are designated for disabled persons under the age of 62 who are living in an institution or a nursing facility but wish to transition to living in their own home. Referrals and services for these vouchers are provided by the Department of Social and Health Services, Roads to Community Living (RCL) program staff. Below are stories from some of the clients who have been assisted by this program.
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. 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.
Wes’ Story
Prior to entering a nursing facility due to health issues, Wes faced many challenges and lacked stability in his life and housing, residing in drug treatment facilities as well as homeless shelters.
While living in the nursing facility prior to getting his NED-2 voucher, Wes was focused on the moment he was in and just getting through each day at the facility where he ended up due to health issues. In his own words, he “found victory” at the end of each passing day.
When he began the process to receive his voucher, he said that having so many people concerned about his wellbeing and future life, and helping him get a place of his own, was such a surprise. “A group of people [came] to my bedside, all working together” to help him get a place he could call home.
With assistance through the NED-2 program, Wes now has a cozy apartment of his own with furniture and household supplies. Every night, as before, victory takes him into sleep, but now he can see the future ahead of him more clearly as he has a stable place to live. He is now in an environment where he can work on literally getting back on his feet!
HUD-Veterans Administration Supportive Housing (VASH) Vouchers
These vouchers provide housing to homeless veterans who are referred by the VASH case managers. Referrals and services for these vouchers are provided by the Veterans Administration Medical Center. Below are stories from some of the clients who have been assisted by this program.
Jeff’s Story
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.
Miles’ Story
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.”
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More success stories will be added in the future as they are submitted. If you are a HASCO voucher holder and are interested in sharing your story about how your housing assistance has improved your life, please complete and submit the Release Form on the right side of this page to your Housing Coordinator.