STEAC STORIES

For many individuals trying to find their way out of homelessness, permanent housing sometimes feels like an unattainable dream. With years-long waiting lists, the need for various documents, and little guidance, it gets tough pushing by.

For many years, Raymond had to face this reality as he moved from state-to-state in hopes of a better place to call home. Originally from a small farm in Minnesota, he recalls the frigid weather and negative situations that eventually pushed him to move away. He eventually made his way to Southern California where he would settle for the next twenty years. 

“I was homeless for a lot of those years… Orange County is not a good County to be poor in. I actually really like Southern California but there was too much going on there… I’ve been up North to Red Bluff, Eureka, all over the place hunting for a cheap place to live. It is not easy. I loved living [in Crescent City]; for low-income housing, to get in, they had a 10-year waitlist.” 

Raymond eventually made his way to Davis during his search for affordable housing. 

“I came here three years ago while I was homeless, specifically searching for housing. I used [Davis Community Meals and Housing, DCMH] for an address because I didn’t have a permanent address. They started building [Paul’s Place] and I just sort of stuck around, waiting.” 

Raymond recalls it was difficult to apply for affordable housing because many sites would ask for documents and references, which he had neither of. During his time in Davis, he frequented DCMH and began building relations with staff there. Eventually, when the doors to Paul’s Place opened, staff knew Raymond well enough that they were able to assist him through the application process and serve as references. Soon, he was approved for a unit in their permanent housing floor. 

His case was referred to STEAC for assistance with his move in costs and deposit. STEAC was able to cover his move in expenses, which meant that after decades of being unhoused, Raymond would now have a permanent place to call home. 

Raymond expressed his appreciation for spaces like Paul’s Place that help individuals transition to permanent housing. “They should have about one-hundred of these in California to help; it would be a good deal,” he joked. Amidst his jokes, Raymond acknowledged his luck in finding a home in Davis, a place he feels safe and where he has built a community.

Currently, STEAC provides a monthly food delivery to all permanent residents at Paul’s Place. Clients receive a mix of perishable and non-perishable foods like canned veggies, fruits, mac & cheese, soup, bread, and more. For many residents there, it is their first time being able to cook their own meals after years of limited to no cooking availability. 

Raymond states that he likes to cook things like pasta and stews, but some eating habits he built over the years have not gone away. 

“I used to eat a lot of vegetables and make my ramen noodles and mix them together with whatever else I had, and I fell in love with them. After all these years, when I get up in the morning if I’m not in the mood to cook anything, that’s what I have. I’m also a big coffee drinker.” 

Raymond proceeds to show our team his stove, microwave, and where he makes his coffee. Clearly proud of his space.

Although it took Raymond over two decades to find permanent housing, he made the most of his journey by hitchhiking, traveling on the train and experiencing scenic routes, taking road trips; his adventurous spirit is not lost in his storytelling nor is his sense of humor. 

“One time at Walmart I asked a lady and her 11/12 year old child, jokingly, ‘I’ll bet you don’t know who the Rolling Stones are. They said, who?” 

He proceeds to speculate our interns’ like for Taylor Swift, which he was right about. 

Raymond has been enjoying life at Paul’s Place for the past year. He prefers quiet time, keeping to himself mostly with some of his favorite pastimes being listening to music, rock-n-roll and country being some of his favorites, along with watching movies from his DVD collection. Raymond’s journey has been a long one, but he finally has a place to call home.