Meet Our Community: Chris

Our April story takes us to La Pine, where Chris, 70, finds himself able to take a breath in his new apartment. For the past year, Chris has been working with Community Outreach Advocate Jess at our La Pine Library drop-in site. Jess chatted with Chris for this story. Chris’ story highlights many of the gaps and challenges folks face when becoming clean and trying to find sustainable housing - social challenges, shelter requirements, and landlord mismafrustrations. 

Born in Redmond and raised in Bend, Chris fondly remembers his family’s 80-acre farm - they had horses and cattle- and he’d hunt for deer and elk in season. It has been 15-20 years since Chris last lived in a home with running water and electricity. He owned a mobile home in Bend, but he was using and selling drugs at the time. He ended up in a scary debt situation, and he sold his home to ensure his safety.

When he lost his home, he stopped using drugs. Not only is coming clean a physical challenge, it can also be a social challenge. The circles of people you used to hang out with, talk to, and find kinship with are no longer available. Chris says, “No one wanted to hang out with me anymore then, because I wasn’t dealing or using anymore.” 

Chris moved into the Shepherd’s House for about a year. While he was there, he was able to get his birth certificate, driver's license, and start the Social Security Disability application process for COPD.

He then moved into the Bethlehem Inn (BI) for 2 years and started receiving his SSDI. At the time, he was able to stay beyond their 6-month period because he started to work there, doing laundry, and had a disability and was using oxygen. When he left the BI, he had formed solid relationships with staff there and was sad to go, but ready to be in his own space. He bought a 5th wheel and moved to the La Pine area. 

About 2 years ago, Chris came to see Thrive for the first time. He had to move out of his 5th wheel and went to the Neighbor Impact office seeking assistance, and they referred him to Thrive's drop-in times. He was in the library one Friday looking for a book and noticed Thrive was there offering their weekly drop-in site - and the rest is history!

Throughout the past two years, Chris worked with a few Thrive Advocates, most recently Jess. There were only three affordable properties in La Pine when they started working together, and though he was on the wait lists, the lists didn’t move fast. When he applied for a waiting list, their 1-bedroom units were $650, which he was able to income-qualify for with his SSDI income of $1250. However, when he finally came to the top of their waiting list a year later, they were over $800/month, and he no longer income qualified. Affordable properties increase their rent in relation to Area Median Income, but folks receiving Social Security do not see the same increase in their income. This causes a disappointing and frustrating disconnect for those with disabilities waiting for affordable housing. 

Chris’ only goal when working with Thrive was to “get a roof over my head”. He enjoys working with Thrive because he said, “being treated like a human goes a long way.” Noting,  “all of my Thrive Advocates [have been] nice, they talk to people, not down on people.”

Over the past year, Chris has been subject to some property management company chaos.  After months of back-and-forth, Chris kept his head up and was hopeful that his housing would finally come together and it did! 

Even though the process with his property management company was frustrating and circuitous, he’s grateful to finally have a place to call home. “My apartment is HUGE for one person; it’s 725 square feet!” Chris says. 

Chris’ advice to anyone coming to see Thrive is, “You have to have loads of patience. You have to stay open. There are so many things that are out of your control that happen.” 

Thank you so much to Chris for being such a bright light in our weeks and for taking the time to tell us your story!