ATTACHMENT B
Success Stories
Rose and her daughter lived in vehicles, shelters, and
encampments for 8 years before enrolling in Evans Lane
EIH. Rose struggled with several disabilities and multiple traumatic events while living outside. After a few months at Evans Lane, Rose secured a housing choice voucher and
found an apartment to rent in May 2022. Her case manager assisted with move in funds and furnishings for the new home. Once stable in housing, Rose joined the region’s
Lived Experience Advisory Board in order to inform and
advocate for policy change and improve services for
households experiencing homelessness. Rose’s story is one of resilience and she wants people to know that
homelessness is not an identity but a set of circumstances that happen to people.
Jenice lived in her car for four years before enrolling in the Monterey/Bernal EIH. Within the first month of her
arrival, Jenice enrolled in Social Security benefits and was referred to and enrolled in rapid rehousing. With
the help of her rapid rehousing case manager, Jenice was able to secure a studio in San José in just a couple
months. She received help with move in costs, furniture, and household items. Jenice will receive rental support and individual care for up to two years in repaid
rehousing. Upon exit from the Monterey/Bernal EIH,
Jenice expressed that “HomeFirst gave me my life back.”
Richard lived in homeless encampments for many years,
experiencing food insecurity, threats of violence and regular abatements. For a period, he and his partner lived in a large encampment area known as “the jungle”. Unfortunately,
Richard’s partner of 17 years got sick and passed away while they were unsheltered. PATH’s Targeted Outreach team was able to refer and enroll him into Villas on the Park in San José. Once settled into Villas, he went for a walk and noticed street art that said, “Love what you do and do what you love”.
That inspired him to pick his love of percussion back up. He was able to get a drum set and bongos and now regularly practices with a band that he joined. Richard loves cumbia music and is excited to play live music again.
ATTACHMENT B
Success Stories
Dianna became homeless after her home of 10 years was sold and though she worked full time, she was unable to secure a unit as rent in San José had doubled. She lived in her RV and her vehicle with her three dogs and one cat. Faced with health issues, combined with the challenges of finding a rental with four pets and insufficient income and credit, Dianna’s episode of homelessness turned into years. Dianna arrived at PATH's downtown outreach drop-in hours at Martin Luther King
Library very distraught, scared, and desperate for housing. She enrolled in case management and PATH worked with Dianna for months on her housing search. In October 2021, Dianna and her four pets moved into her own apartment. PATH
assisted with move in financial costs and supplies. Dianna has the support she needs to maintain permanent housing on her own.
Charlotte and Kevin enrolled in Rue
Ferrari EIH in January 2021. In
September 2021, the couple exchanged
their vows and celebrated both their
relationship and their journey from the
streets to stable housing. Both
participants were eventually connected
to a rapid rehousing program in
April 2022. With the help and support
of their case manager, they found
suitable housing and moved in June
2022. They will receive up to two
years of financial support and
individualized services.
After arriving at Mabury BHC, Charles was
often found curled up in a blanket in the corner
of the common area onsite, too high to return to
his cabin. Charles worked hard to turn his life
around with the help of HomeFirst staff. He got a
fulltime job and eventually secured permanent
housing on his own. He will be missed at
Mabury as he consistently helped HomeFirst
staff keep the garden beautiful and the kitchen
clean. Charles was upbeat, a model participant,
an inspiration to everyone living and working at
Mabury.