Ken's Story

The Housing Forward staff first met Ken at the PADS Shelter site in Franklin Park. The shelter is a small, out of the way site, and during the winter months, it provided a one-night reprieve from the wind and snow. Ken, a veteran who had been homeless for close to 20 years, typically slept outside in parks, abandoned cars and in covered areas near stores. Because of his high-risk lifestyle, Ken had been a frequent user of emergency services like the fire department, police department and hospitals.

Although Ken didn't come to the shelter frequently, staff members provided him with shelter when he needed it, as well as case management to help him work through the day to day hardship and instability of homelessness. Ken, like many of our clients had a difficult time trusting people after being in survival mode for so long. 

Outside of the shelter, Ken's primary contact with Housing Forward was with the Street Outreach team. The team encountered him from time to time, and like the shelter staff, provided him with whatever he was willing to accept. In the past year, the Street Outreach team began to see Ken more, and was able to begin building a trusting relationship with him. While he was still reluctant to participate in intensive case management, the team was able to help him make small changes in his life. Finally, in April, the team had a breakthrough when Ken filled out the documents necessary to be eligible for the Open Door Housing program.

Within weeks he was approved for the program, and arrangements were made to find an apartment. However, during this time, he disappeared. The Street Outreach team went to all of the places they usually encountered him, but couldn't find him. Because of the precariousness of Ken's situation, and because he had already been approved to move into an apartment for the first time in decades, the Street Outreach team kept looking. Three weeks ago, they found him. It was difficult to determine why Ken had decided to withdraw, but in order to avoid losing contact with him again, he was offered a hotel room while the housing team secured a permanent apartment. 

While Ken was staying in the hotel, he was able to shower, eat consistently and sleep in a room of his own for the first time since the mid-1990s. His health and well-being noticeably improved during this time. Support Center staff also provided Ken with new clothes during this period, and helped him adjust to his new surroundings as he waiting for news about an apartment. Housing Forward's Nurse Case Manager also began meeting with Ken regularly, and he was able to address his medical needs outside of a crisis situation in a hospital emergency room. 

After several weeks of tireless work, the Housing Coordinator located a suitable apartment for Ken, and he signed a lease and moved in. Because of the donation of house to home kits by local congregations and service groups, his apartment was fully furnished. Without the collaborative work of several different departments, it is likely that Ken would have slipped through the cracks. Although some clients only need a quick boost, there are many, like Ken, who require assistance in several different areas to truly become stable again. Moving forward, an Open Door Housing Case Manager will meet with Ken weekly to help as he transitions into his new life. We are incredibly excited for him, and are looking forward to watching as he thrives in a safe, stable and supporting environment.