Velda is one of the residents working with New Narrative’s Multnomah Rental Assistance Program (MRAP) team to ensure she can access housing and the resources she needs to manage her mental and physical health care. (MRAP) is a supportive housing service through New Narrative which works with holders of Regional Long-Term Rent Assistance (RLRA) vouchers. This program assists individuals in preparing for, acquiring, and retaining housing in scattered site locations, with rental assistance provided by Home Forward. She spoke with one of our communications staff for this story. You can read more about Velda and how RLRA vouchers impact houselessness in the Portland Mercury article linked here.
The first thing you notice about Velda is her sparkling sense of humor. She bounced into our meeting room full of curiosity and with a chuckle, left staff in the hall laughing at one of her quips. Velda was referred to MRAP on March 15, 2023, through Coordinated Access, a system managed by the Joint Office of Homeless Services (JOHS) to help unhoused people connect with permanent and supportive housing. She initially attended a Meet and Greet with New Narrative’s MRAP program to determine whether she felt this was the right program for her.
After deciding this was the right fit, she met with her MRAP team and worked to complete intake paperwork and paperwork for Home Forward which partners with MRAP for rental assistance. While this process was taking place, Velda had been living in a shelter and was assaulted by another shelter participant. When the MRAP team learned this, they were able to refer Velda to a transitional shelter to ensure she felt safe while looking for long-term housing. Velda made a goal of finding housing before her birthday in June and was able to sign a lease and move into her home on July 25th of last year. She recently celebrated her 70th birthday and has lived there for almost one year!
A Long Way Home
Velda’s journey is an international one. Born in Germany, she was adopted and moved to Tacoma Washington, where she grew up. She remembers loving to run track in high school and had a good relationship with her parents. In 2006, she moved to Portland and, after leaving an abusive partner, found herself homeless. For years she bounced between living with friends and other temporary arrangements. She was struggling with a substance use disorder which also made it harder to stay in any housing arrangement for long. After living in a shelter for roughly two years, she finally learned about New Narrative. Now she’s been in an apartment of her own for one year!
“New Narrative is a blessing,” she said. “Whenever you need something, they take care of you.” New Narrative staff assisted Velda in searching for her ideal living situation. Once she found a place she liked, they ensured she had the paperwork, her ID, and everything needed to move forward with a rental agreement. “I like my privacy, it’s nice to have a place to myself,” she confided. “I won’t mess this up. It’s my home, my comfort zone.” She briefly spoke about her journey of recovery from drug use and her dedication to staying sober as she continues this next chapter of her life.
I like my privacy, it’s nice to have a place to myself. I won’t mess this up. It’s my home, my comfort zone.
A Legacy and a Future
When asked about her goals, she admitted she looks forward to traveling abroad. “Germany or Jamaica would be nice,” she said. Velda goes back to Washington to visit family when she can and recently buried her mother and father there. She’s proud of her sons and daughter, who still live in Washington. “I’m glad all of them didn’t go through what I went through,” she said. “I can sleep at night.” One of her twin sons is in the Air Force, the other is a psychologist. Her daughter is a teacher. She is already planning her next trip to see her grandchildren.
Velda enjoys her neighbors and is planning on adding a few Beta fish to her apartment for company, with the hope of having them be featured as the “Pet of the Month” at her complex sometime shortly. “I’m gonna name them Eenie, Meenie, Miney, and Mo,” she laughed. Thanks to the Regional Long-term Rent Assistance Program (RLRA) managed by Home Forward and passed by voters through Metro, her rent payments are taken care of until 2030. “I feel blessed,” she nodded, “I didn’t know [my rental payments] would last for years to come. I’m so thankful.”
Favorite Things
In her spare time, she works on puzzles, which she likes to glue together and display on her wall. “I’m working on one right now!” she exclaimed. She loves listening to R&B music and watches a flock of crows come by her living room window every day – she sets her clock so that she doesn’t miss their flight. She also likes to stay mentally stimulated by playing games on her phone. Bowling and dominoes are her favorites.
Just as we finished our conversation, some tacos from Taco Bell arrived for her, and she offered me one. “Tacos are my favorite! I could eat tacos all day,” she said, smiling. And in her safe, comfortable apartment, she can do just that! We are honored to be able to work with vibrant people like Velda to help them realize their goals and dreams and to keep them safe and housed.
This story has been modified for clarity by New Narrative.
