Jeremy has been part of the Community Impact Team (CIT) for about 18 months. As happens with so many of our CIT members and so many others, a complicated series of circumstances led to him being unsheltered.

With strong ties to the local community, Jeremy was admitted to the Costa Mesa Bridge Shelter at around the same time he joined CIT. Then the waiting game began. Most individuals who find themselves in that situation work with a Housing Navigator and hope to be matched to a Permanent Supportive Housing facility with a voucher. Imagine how frustrating, to have to wait…and wait for that to happen. The voucher system can run dry, navigators change jobs, buildings being repurposed go through agonizing delays…

All that happened to Jeremy, and so, after being sober for a considerable amount of time he fell off the wagon and ended up with alcohol poisoning. He admitted his error and called CIT to explain why he would be missing some meetings. Bad News, and a hard call to make. Fortunately he was able to keep the job we had pointed him toward (and where he has now been working for well over a year).

Along with another CIT member, in January 2024 Jeremy was matched to a brand new facility. More frustration ensued while he waited for construction to be completed, hoping his voucher wouldn’t expire. These trials can be a harsh reality when dealing with the voucher system in order to achieve affordable housing.

Jeremy called us on Tuesday, September 24th, 2024 to say that the next day he would be signing his lease and picking up the keys to his beautiful private apartment! He said he called with that good news because when he had to call with the previous bad news he was treated with respect and not judgment. He was welcomed back instead of dismissed.

He was proud to call, and we are so proud of you, for navigating affordable housing amidst all that’s been thrown your way, Jeremy!