Veteran Tim H. has all the space he needs. A resident at Waypoint House on our Shelby Park campus, the 73-year-old moved here in March.

“I try to keep everything neat. That’s the military in me. This is my home,” Tim said.

Waypoint, which was renovated and made available to homeless male or female Veterans last October, has 24 single-room occupancy units (SRO). The SRO model has individual rooms with shared kitchens and bathrooms. These are for Veterans who are homeless, at immediate risk of homelessness, or currently living in a transitional housing setting.

“Well, I would say I was homeless if I was living in a hotel … I had nowhere to go but my van, so in other words, I had no place to go and live,” Tim added.

Tim moved to Louisville because his son, Greg, suffered an aneurysm. He was looking for affordable housing and found this opportunity on our website.

Waypoint’s private rooms are 140 square feet and come fully furnished. The updated facility includes two self-service kitchens, free laundry room facilities, and common areas for connection and recreation.

Tim cooks in his room. He utilizes his air fryer, toaster, crockpot, and microwave, while storing his frozen foods in the community freezer. You can also find him sitting outside on the porch.

“I didn’t want to be in an apartment. One room is basically all I can take care of and keep looking decent,” he said. “For the safety and the place, I can’t beat it. I don’t pay for any utilities. If I was out in an apartment, it would cost me a lot more, so I’m really at the best place.”

Home prices in the Louisville Metro area and southern Indiana counties rose 12% from 2020 to 2023. The average rent in the city is currently $1,300 a month for a two-bedroom unit.

The monthly rent at Waypoint is $582 for a one-year lease, with utilities included. All units are restricted for applicants who are “very low income,” meaning their income is at or below 50% Area Median Income (AMI).

“Do you realize that you can’t get into an apartment and utilities for $1,100 a month? And that’s for a one-bedroom,” Tim said. “If it wasn’t for you all, I don’t know what I would have done.”

Tim lives off his Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and unfortunately, doesn’t receive any military benefits.

Tim served in the military from Aug. 1970 to April 1978. He knew he was going to be drafted and decided to enroll in the Army. He started in the Army Security Agency and served in the Vietnam War from 1971 to 1972. He spent time in Fort Jackson, SC; Detroit, MI; Baumholder, Germany; and Fort Hood, TX.

He was promoted from a loader to a tank commander. When he left the Army, he was an E-5 sergeant and received an honorable discharge.

“I enjoyed being in the Army because I got away from home, got out on my own, was independent, and enjoyed the travel at first,” Tim added.

After his military service ended, Tim had several jobs and lived in Texas and New Mexico before moving to Western Kentucky in 1994. He has enjoyed his stay at Waypoint thus far.

“It’s my home. I like everything. I like the cleanliness of it. I like the security and the employees. They’ve been nothing but great to me,” he said. “For the most part, it’s peaceful and quiet. You couldn’t want anything better. The hotel I was in lacked a whole lot to be desired, and it was still costing me $60 a day.”

Tim met with Commissioner Whitney Allen of the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs. He toured our campus and visited Waypoint. To learn more, visit www.svdplou.org/support-homeless-veterans/.

Tony Nochim
Source: https://www.svdplou.org/