Bob’s Story: A Formerly Homeless Senior Finds True North’s Programs ‘Lifesaving’

In his retirement, Bob has really enjoyed sitting on the porch of his home in the quiet, early morning hours. He sits and reads and sips black tea sweetened with orange spices and blackberry jam.

Anybody who meets Bob can tell right away: He’s a good-natured, easygoing man, a consummate host quick to offer a smile. He often cracks a joke to make people to laugh.

It’d be impossible for most people to guess that for much of the past two years, Bob was homeless.

Bob, now 70, was living in a trailer Chico. He paid his rent on time every month, he said. So he was shocked to find out one day that the housemate in charge of the bills hadn’t paid up. He was evicted, and had nowhere else to go.

For a while, Bob stayed in motels, but it was expensive. With his limited income, he knew he had to seek help to get back on his feet and find housing.

That’s when he turned to True North Housing Alliance. Bob was placed in our emergency shelter, the Torres Community Shelter. Then, when the pandemic began in March 2020, Bob was placed in motel room via the state program Project Roomkey. This program is managed by True North Housing Alliance and focused on protecting vulnerable seniors from contracting the coronavirus.

“It was lifesaving,” Bob said.

About six months later, after working with his True North Housing Alliance case managers on a Housing Action Plan, Bob received incredible news: he’d secured a spot in one of True North Housing Alliance’s homes. This home is part of the nonprofit’s master lease program, made possible due to True North Housing Alliance’s partnerships with local property owners.

Bob has now lived there since September 2020, and said he couldn’t be happier.

“It’s just a complete turnaround of my world,” he said. “I feel safe and I’m comfortable.”

“True North Housing Alliance’s programs are so important,” he continued. “Where else could I find a house to live in that I could afford? I couldn’t. True North is a Godsend. I sure appreciate them. And I am thankful every day.”