Melvin: Abode Has Helped

The irony was not lost on Melvin when – after years of managing a homeless shelter – he and his family suddenly were on the verge of living on the streets.

Melvin, a Vietnam War veteran, stopped working at the shelter and lost his main source of income after the Stockton church that housed the facility closed its doors for good.

Melvin moved his life partner, Alicia, and their children with him into a studio to save money while he looked for a new job. But their landlord evicted them for having too many people in the unit.  

“We were in imminent danger of being homeless,” said Melvin, who served in the Navy from 1973-1975.

Desperate, Melvin received help from Abode and the Housing and Urban Development-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing program (HUD-VASH).

“Without their help, my life would still be quite miserable,” Melvin said.

The Melvin family last year moved into Laguna Commons, Abode’s affordable housing development where 25 homes are set aside for veterans. Abode employees helped the family settle into the new housing community and worked with them in finding clothes, furniture, and food.

“Abode even helped me give my son his first real birthday party,” Melvin said. “From what I’ve heard from other veterans, Abode has helped them out a lot, as well.”

Now that his children have the stability of permanent housing, their grades in school and quality of life have steadily improved, said Melvin.