A New Beginning After Homelessness

It all started with a bad smell in Ms. Jones’s home. Sewage was leaking into the one-bedroom apartment she had rented in Norfolk for 14 years. With her home no longer habitable, she spent several nights in a hotel before her landlord relocated her to a different apartment.

Although her landlord was working on the maintenance issues, Ms. Jones lost confidence in her housing situation. In her 60s and living alone, she packed what she could into her Kia Optima and began driving. With some money saved for a deposit, she believed she would find new housing quickly.

But the challenges of living out of her car and searching for affordable housing in a difficult market were overwhelming. “Sometimes I would drive around all night because I didn’t know where it was safe to park.” When she did find a spot to rest, people walking by her window frightened her, making sleep elusive.

Ms. Jones never imagined she would be homeless. An accomplished singer with a degree in music education, she had worked as a teacher and in the food service industry as a cook, host, and server. She also volunteered as a companion for homebound seniors.

Eventually, Ms. Jones discovered the Chesapeake Cares Resource Center, where she met Fatima and Linda from the Homeless Older Adults Program at Senior Services. With the center staff, she began the process of applying for the housing choice voucher program. With Linda’s help, she searched online for housing.

Finally, after nearly a year of homelessness, Ms. Jones received a voucher and found an apartment in Chesapeake. When she moved in, Linda arrived with a carload of supplies—a Welcome Home Basket provided by Senior Services donors.

“It was amazing. I didn’t have to buy anything—pots, pans, towels, toiletries, cleaning supplies. Linda delivered everything I needed. She did it so joyfully that I didn’t feel ashamed to receive the help.”

With renewed independence and stable housing, Ms. Jones is focused on her future. She continues to sing and write lyrics and hopes to start performing more. She is even considering going back to school for a master’s degree in music. She also wants to support others experiencing homelessness.

“Living in my car was traumatic,” Ms. Jones said. “I get teary-eyed thinking about where I came from and where I am now. I’ve got a bed; I’ve got heat. It’s so wonderful.”

If you would like to support the independence of seniors like Ms. Jones, donate to Senior Services today. To contribute to our Welcome Home Basket fund, click here.

To protect her anonymity, the subject’s real name and photo have not been used.