Formerly Homeless, Rosalinda Has Found Peace at Hollenbeck Terrace

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Editor’s Note: LifeSTEPS’ core purpose is to keep people in housing. However, through our relationship with the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, we are also involved in helping the homeless become housed. Following is Rosalinda’s story, depicting how this partnership helped to change her life.

In 2005 Rosalinda was living a good life. A job developer for Goodwill Industries in Yuma, AZ, Rosalinda found fulfillment in her job and enjoyed a safe and secure home. However, in 2010 she moved back to the Los Angeles area to help her daughter who was having a baby.

From there her life would be turned upside-down. Her relationship with her daughter began to deteriorate. In 2011 Rosalinda had a heart attack, and in 2012 shRosalindae was diagnosed with a brain aneurysm.  Because of her health conditions she was unable to hold down a job for any length of time. She soon found herself homeless.

For five long years Rosalinda moved back and forth between her brother and her son’s homes, though she often slept in her car or in the park. Thankfully she had accessed health services through the County of Los Angeles. During the fall of 2015 a caseworker from the County Hospital referred her to the Housing for Health Program. Rosalinda was soon in contact with LifeSTEPS and Brilliant Corners, and by October had moved into her new apartment home at Hollenbeck Terrace.

Formerly known as Linda Vista Hospital, Amcal Housing transformed the abandoned facility into an affordable community for older adults. As a tax-credit community, a consistent level of social services is provided to residents through LifeSTEPS. In addition, the community is also a part of the Los Angeles County Housing for Health Program, through which older homeless adults with health concerns, like Rosalinda, are moved from shelters (or their cars) into safe, affordable housing. As needed, they also have access to health services, some of which are delivered on-site. Rosalinda reports that she receives nursing visits and physical therapy on a weekly basis.

For Rosalinda having a home of her own has been a true blessing. Furthermore, she says that it’s her entire community that is helping her to feel more alive.  “We look out for one another. We encourage shut-ins to join us in the different activities here.” For example, Rosalinda is active in social activities on-site, attends education classes, and even does a Zumba class (using her walker)!
“This is a wonderful place to call home,” she says. “It’s been good for my health. Everyone is at peace. I don’t have to worry anymore.”

 

From Homeless to Housed: A Success Story

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When Linda* came to California six years ago, becoming homeless wasn’t part of her plan.

LifeSTEPSShe was a nurse in Texas. However, when she relocated to California her license wasn’t valid in this state. To land a nursing job here would cost $8-10,000 and two years of additional schooling. Knowing she had to work, Linda was trained by Los Angeles County in mental health services and working with those who had Alzheimer’s Disease. For six years she worked as a caregiver and didn’t stop until December 12, 2013.

That’s the day her life changed in ways she could never have imagined.

She took a horrible fall down a flight of stairs, sustaining numerous severe injuries. Unable to work, she no longer had an income sufficient to pay rent. She was eventually evicted from her apartment. Linda was now homeless and hopeless.

What she didn’t know is that there was a new effort being formed through the Housing for Health program between Los Angeles Department of Health Services, AMCAL, FPI Management, Brilliant Corners (the nonprofit contracted to coordinate the HFH program), and LifeSTEPS. Through this partnership Linda was identified as a good candidate – and LifeSTEPS social worker, LaKisha Collman, made outreach to her.

LaKisha helped her complete an application to the Housing for Health program (HFH). The HFH program strives to end homelessness in Los Angeles County, while reducing the inappropriate use of expensive health care resources and improve health outcomes for vulnerable populations. Administered by Los Angeles County, the program provides permanent supportive housing and specialized care to homeless people with complex physical and behavioral health conditions. “Linda was the perfect candidate for this program. It was evident that her health was suffering so we worked as quickly as possible to get her into the program.” LaKisha said.

“I was sleeping in my car.” Linda said. She parked in hospital parking lots and other places where she would feel safe. Still recovering from the severity of her injuries, her sleeping arrangement made her condition worse. “I have seven degenerated bones in my back and sleeping in my car has made it worse. I’m sometimes in so much pain I can’t sleep.”

Not long after preparing her application, LaKisha gave Linda some good news: she had been referred to Broadway Villas – an AMCAL affordable housing complex that is a part of the HFH program. Linda, understandably, was quite excited. “I went to see the property and it was beautiful. I knew I was going to be blessed. It was like a dream!”

“There are a lot of heroes in this program,” says Beth Southorn, Executive Director for LifeSTEPS. “The housing part of this program can be complex. With AMCAL agreeing to set aside a number of rent-controlled units at Broadway Villas that fit the program guidelines, they’ve made the transition from homelessness to being housed much easier.” She also cites that all of the partners have done amazing work to make dreams like Linda’s come true.

“What I also find extraordinary is that people like Linda, who have experienced great difficulties, are definitely up to the challenge of making significant positive changes in their lives. They just need a little help.” Southorn says.

LifeSTEPS has housed total of 16 people at Broadway Villas since early 2015. Each unit is fully furnished, and residents will receive ongoing social service support from LifeSTEPS to help make their transition as successful as possible. Linda was one of eight people who moved into Broadway Villas on January 28, 2015. LifeSTEPS has helped a total of 40 people transition into permanent homes through the HFH program at two AMCAL communities.

Overcome with emotion, Linda exclaimed, “Do you know where I was sleeping on the 15th of this month? Outside on the street in front of this building! I’ve been waiting for this day for so long. LaKisha is one of God’s angels and I feel so blessed.”

*Please note:  Some resident names have been changed.

Success Story: Lizette’s Five Year Plan

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“This program made me think outside the box… to think about the future, and to have a five year program to improve it. When I finish school I want to find a full time job with benefits, be independent and buy a house. This was possible because of this program, and people who believed in me.”

LifeSTEPSLizette* has received help through HUD’s Family Sufficiency Program. This program helps eligible individuals acquire the skills and experience they need to obtain work that pays a living wage, then offers them a unique savings opportunity as their earnings increase called an escrow account. Before the FSS program Lizette did not work and was not in school. She is a single mom with two kids and was feeling aimless.

After enrolling in FSS and with the case management provided by LifeSTEPS, Lizette has been inspired to enroll in school and find a job. She has since found an even better job with the city that compliments her course of study which is Recreation Management. She is the recipient of a STRIVE Scholarship, an award program for Section 8 tenants or tenants of rental properties owned or affiliated with HACSC that supports post-secondary education.

Lizette has successfully completed the FSS Program and will receive about $7,000 for her escrow account which she plans to use to pay her school loans. Lizette is excited about the shape her life is taking and plans to graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in 2017.

From Homeless to Housed: A Success Story!

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When Linda* came to California six years ago, becoming homeless wasn’t part of her plan.

LifeSTEPSShe was a nurse in Texas. However, when she relocated to California her license wasn’t valid in this state. To land a nursing job here would cost $8-10,000 and two years of additional schooling. Knowing she had to work, Linda was trained by Los Angeles County in mental health services and working with those who had Alzheimer’s Disease. For six years she worked as a caregiver and didn’t stop until December 12, 2013.

That’s the day her life changed in ways she could never have imagined.

She took a horrible fall down a flight of stairs, sustaining numerous severe injuries. Unable to work, she no longer had an income sufficient to pay rent. She was eventually evicted from her apartment. Linda was now homeless and hopeless.

What she didn’t know is that there was a new effort being formed through the Housing for Health program between Los Angeles Department of Health Services, AMCAL, FPI Management, Brilliant Corners (the nonprofit contracted to coordinate the HFH program), and LifeSTEPS. Through this partnership Linda was identified as a good candidate – and LifeSTEPS social worker, LaKisha Collman, made outreach to her.

LaKisha helped her complete an application to the Housing for Health program (HFH). The HFH program strives to end homelessness in Los Angeles County, while reducing the inappropriate use of expensive health care resources and improve health outcomes for vulnerable populations. Administered by Los Angeles County, the program provides permanent supportive housing and specialized care to homeless people with complex physical and behavioral health conditions. “Linda was the perfect candidate for this program. It was evident that her health was suffering so we worked as quickly as possible to get her into the program.” LaKisha said.

“I was sleeping in my car.” Linda said. She parked in hospital parking lots and other places where she would feel safe. Still recovering from the severity of her injuries, her sleeping arrangement made her condition worse. “I have seven degenerated bones in my back and sleeping in my car has made it worse. I’m sometimes in so much pain I can’t sleep.”

Not long after preparing her application, LaKisha gave Linda some good news: she had been referred to Broadway Villas – an AMCAL affordable housing complex that is a part of the HFH program. Linda, understandably, was quite excited. “I went to see the property and it was beautiful. I knew I was going to be blessed. It was like a dream!”

“There are a lot of heroes in this program,” says Beth Southorn, Executive Director for LifeSTEPS. “The housing part of this program can be complex. With AMCAL agreeing to set aside a number of rent-controlled units at Broadway Villas that fit the program guidelines, they’ve made the transition from homelessness to being housed much easier.” She also cites that all of the partners have done amazing work to make dreams like Linda’s come true.

“What I also find extraordinary is that people like Linda, who have experienced great difficulties, are definitely up to the challenge of making significant positive changes in their lives. They just need a little help.” Southorn says.

LifeSTEPS has housed total of 16 people at Broadway Villas since early 2015. Each unit is fully furnished, and residents will receive ongoing social service support from LifeSTEPS to help make their transition as successful as possible. Linda was one of eight people who moved into Broadway Villas on January 28, 2015. LifeSTEPS has helped a total of 40 people transition into permanent homes through the HFH program at two AMCAL communities.

Overcome with emotion, Linda exclaimed, “Do you know where I was sleeping on the 15th of this month? Outside on the street in front of this building! I’ve been waiting for this day for so long. LaKisha is one of God’s angels and I feel so blessed.”

*Please note:  Some resident names have been changed.