Stephen, a veteran and Plymouth resident since 2014.

On August 1, the Obama Administration announced a nearly 50% decline in veteran homelessness since 2010. That’s great news! At Plymouth, we’re proud to house the men and women who have served in the armed forces. In 2015, we provided affordable apartments with wraparound supportive services to 160 veterans who have experienced homelessness.

As VA Secretary Robert A. McDonald said, “The men and women who have fought for this nation should not have to fight to keep a roof over their head…” We have over 60 apartments specifically designated for veterans, and we actively partner with local agencies and nonprofits to locate and house homeless veterans. In their announcement, HUD points to partnerships between federal, state, and local partners as key to this significant progress—and we’ve witnessed the importance of these partnerships firsthand. Take the story of John, one of the veterans who found a home with us after years on the streets.

John, whose name has been changed to protect his privacy, is a 71-year-old veteran who had been homeless off and on (more off than on) since his tour in Vietnam. In the middle of 2015, he began sleeping just down the block from one of our buildings in Belltown. As time passed, our staff began recognize John as one of our homeless neighbors and got to know him. They helped to dry his sodden blankets during the winter rains, made sure he had water to drink, and even bought him a cake for his birthday. These interactions allowed John the opportunity to speak with our 24/7 desk staff and learn what Plymouth’s permanent supportive housing is all about.

Plymouth’s Director of Property Management, Andrea Owner, contacted our partners over at REACH and asked them to reach out to John to see if they could get him engaged in their treatment services. Once John was enrolled with REACH, our staff worked with theirs to get John assessed for possible housing opportunities through King County’s weekly conference call on homeless veterans.

Vivian, a veteran and Plymouth resident since 2008.

Meanwhile, John remained hesitant about housing. To him, housing was about living by the rules and values of other people—and he didn’t have much trust for rules or authority after the traumas of Vietnam.

John had been homeless since before Housing First best practices (of which Plymouth was an early pioneer) came into being. He didn’t know that permanent supportive housing had evolved so that it adapts to the needs and challenges of vulnerable residents, rather than vice-versa. He didn’t know that this time, it could be different.

Thanks to the diligent help of our staff members, John began to build that trust again. He agreed to accept the opportunity for an apartment in one of our downtown buildings, but he made it known that he would always reserve the right to leave (“break my contract,” he said) if he felt uncomfortable.

But you know what? He’s still here. John found a home at Plymouth, as have numerous other veterans. John keeps reminding us that he can leave anytime he wishes, but each night since early March has found him sleeping in his own bed rather than in a damp doorway.