A Veteran’s Second Chance – Bill’s Story
For all of us, the path of life can suddenly present unexpected challenges. In an instant, circumstances beyond our control can fundamentally change the lives we lead. This was the case for Bill, a veteran who suddenly found himself facing homelessness, days away from living in a tent by the riverbeds. Thankfully, collaboration between Habitat for Humanity Yuba/Sutter and the Veterans Affairs system helped him find a stable home, and with it, a renewed sense of security. His story is a testament to the power of community support, and the impact of organizations working together to change lives.
Bill has lived in the Yuba-Sutter area for most of his life, aside from his time serving in the U.S. Navy. After enlisting, he was stationed in San Diego and later served on the USS Midway, an aircraft carrier that took him across the Pacific. Following his military service, he came back to California, raising a family and working as a mechanic.
“I lived in Olivehurst for years, but I was all over,” Bill shared. “I joined the service and went to Vietnam, then spent almost two years in San Diego stationed on Coronado Island. I got married before I went down there, and my wife and I lived in San Diego together. She’s passed now, but I have four daughters and quite a few grandkids and great-grandkids.”
For years, Bill’s life was stable, until one day when everything changed. Bill’s world was turned upside down when his longtime landlord passed away, and the home he rented was handed down to relatives looking to sell. “My landlord had told me that I could live there for the rest of my life. But once he passed away, his family came in looking to sell everything, they thought he had a lot of money,” Bill shared. Despite their efforts to secure their housing, he and his roommate were eventually evicted. With nowhere to go, Bill found himself staying in a motel, spending almost all the money he had per month on his room.
“I was out of options. I was days away from living in the river bottoms,” Bill recalled. “I had my grandson’s dog with me, and I wasn’t going to take him to the pound. I couldn’t find anybody to take him. Finally, I got a bus ticket. My roommate took me to Sacramento to get on a bus, and I rode to San Diego. I stayed for a month with my sister to get rid of some of the stress before coming back up here to see what I could do about finding a house.”
Determined to find a path forward, Bill turned to the VA for assistance. Recognizing his need for stable housing, the VA connected him with Habitat for Humanity Yuba/Sutter, which provides affordable housing solutions for individuals facing hardship. The collaboration between these two organizations would ultimately change the course of Bill’s life.
“I went to Habitat with my paperwork, hoping for the best. Between the VA and Habitat working together, I got housed quicker than anybody I’ve talked to,” Bill said. “I went in on a Monday, turned in my paperwork Tuesday, and within a few weeks, I was in.”
In May, Bill moved into his new home, a unit at Harmony Village, a Permanent Supportive Housing facility operated by Habitat for Humanity Yuba/Sutter. With a safe place to stay, he’s been able to focus on his health, reconnect with his interests, and form new friendships.
“There’s a guy here I talk to all the time. He grew up in Pacific Palisades. We listen to old music together, and that actually helped bring back some of my memories,” Bill shared. “Every day, we sit and talk. It’s been good for me.”
The stability of having a home has been life-changing for Bill. With ongoing health concerns, including a history of heart surgery and the need for regular medications, living on the streets would have been not only difficult, but dangerous.
“The biggest thing that scared me was my medicine,” Bill explained. “I need my medicine to stay alive. When you’re homeless, getting your meds is a challenge. I would have to walk miles, hope they arrived at the right place, and then hope no one stole them. You’re a target because people assume you have something valuable. Even though I don’t have narcotics, they don’t know that. Having a stable home means I don’t have to worry about that anymore.”
Reflecting on his journey, Bill is deeply grateful to the people and organizations that stepped in to help when he needed it most.
“I can’t thank them enough,” he said. “They saved my life. I wouldn’t have lasted. At that time, I was broke. My feet were bad. I could hardly walk.”
For anyone facing a similar situation, Bill’s advice is simple: ask for help. “There are places like Habitat, the VA, and even the Salvation Army that can get you housed,” he said. “But you have to take that first step and reach out.”
Today, Bill lives each day with a sense of security and appreciation for the support that helped him get back on his feet. His story reminds us that no one should have to navigate hardship alone. With the help of organizations like Habitat for Humanity Yuba/Sutter, a fresh start is always possible.
