Phoebe & Nuggy’s HOmeward BOund story

Hello all! It’s Phoebe, and those of you who know me call me Phee. And those of you who don’t know me, I am sure, are probably wondering what’s with this personal GoFundMe. Well, where do I begin without the boring details? As some of you may know, I had been homeless on the streets for some years and spent most of my final 2 years of homelessness at the Union Rescue Mission in Los Angeles’ Skid Row. It was during my stay at the URM that everyone’s lives were being heavily affected by COVID. Rumors of a lockdown and quarantine were being spread all over the shelter, so I made the hardest decision of living back out on the streets for fear of being locked within the shelter walls, surrounded by hundreds of people in the same room. This, in turn, was the best choice for me because the years that followed, through much struggle, sweat, and tears, led me to where me and Nugette call our forever home today. But, you must know it was not without a fight against the broken system that was at times so demeaning and demoralizing by people who were meant to and put in their positions to help, not hinder, the security of my housing. It brought back so many distant and thought-I-had-forgotten memories of being in the foster care system. And by no means am I speaking for everyone who’s experienced homelessness or even growing up in the foster care system. Don’t get me wrong, there are good people and organizations out there that work with the homeless with such care, respect, and dignity. I’ve managed to stay in contact with those good people, and some of them even became my support system and flourished into lifelong friendships for being a beacon of light in my darkest moments throughout this journey of mine. My best friend and I always talk about how it’s so crazy how when we were living out there, surrounded by thousands of Angelenos, we felt so alone, isolated, and ignored. So we are always grateful to one another to be able to share and understand each other’s experiences. She has been my biggest ally throughout my struggles I was faced with being a part of Project Roomkey, then into what they referred to as interim housing. Mind you, these programs that ran these projects received millions in funding to help navigate towards permanent affordable housing because that’s the end goal. It all sounds pretty straightforward, but no one talks about how hard it is to get to the end goal. So I am going to make this long story as short as possible right here and now, lol. So, imagine being dropped off in a strange neighborhood and building by the 3rd case manager (although I thought me being 20 years older than her, I should be called the case manager instead, lol), and you just met her, and she takes you to an empty studio apartment and begins to explain to you that this is where you are going to live. She goes on to say that “the rules aren’t exactly the same as living at the hotel, but you still can’t have people sleeping in your room, and you’re not allowed to bring your entire encampment.” Then she explains she will be back to drop in and visit. All of that was said in response to my questions of “How long am I staying here for? Do you (her employer) all own this building? So I don’t have a 7 pm curfew anymore?” But, before she walks out the door, she hands me a box with an air bed in it and some keys. I asked her what good are these if anyone can get through that huge gaping hole where a window from the floor to the ceiling is supposed to be? She gave me the dirtiest look before calling her boss to let him know that I wanted a window put up before just leaving me there. That was just day one. And all those questions I asked case manager number 3 left me more confused by case manager number 13, an entire 3 years later, when I was still a sitting duck in their version of interim housing, which by that time was more like ding, dong, ditch if you ask me. They left me with a lease agreement that they signed my name on to. And abandoned me with a wet ceiling caving in with unknown brown liquid spewing out of it while rats almost as big as my cat tried to chew their way through the walls, which used to freak both me and Nuggy out. And a billion roaches, bed bugs, and mice, which was the first time in my entire life ever living in those conditions. I never exposed myself to those living conditions even while living out there on the streets. But The Center and their case managers were A-okay with signing my name on a lease to live in those conditions. But The Center had saved the best for last because my best friend and I are convinced they found him selling cars on a used car lot because that’s how he tried to sell me his knowledge of how he and those before him handled my case in its entirety according to the notes in my file, lol. Because at least I wasn’t out on the streets while under his case management. So, eventually, I had to unveil my advocates on him because they saw I was about to give up on my end goal. So with guidance and through the advocacy of my A1’s, I was able to make it through that debacle without an eviction, which would have disqualified me for affordable housing options ran by HUD. So, in the midst of this, my advocate/BFF is coordinating my time and presence at press conferences for me to speak out at and driving me to City Hall afterwards at the Mayor’s request to further discuss what was said at that press conference because I happened to compare her Inside Safe project to Project Roomkey. So, she had a big influence in my particular case when it came to me receiving services through another provider since case manager 13 from The Center basically said they were going out of business and said “oh well, can’t help you once we’re gone” in so many words. The Mayor’s staff gets LAHSA involved and swiftly links me up with PATH, who managed to do almost an equal amount of damage in a short amount of time by getting me from point A to point B and calling it a wrap by pawning me off to the Salvation Army. Mind you, these orgs have a habit of telling me what’s best for me and that regardless of circumstances, I should be grateful for the services they provide. So, I am done living and fighting the unlawful detainer that nearly ended my whole purpose of this GoFundMe. And then I’m faced with yet another combination of awful living conditions and lack of support from case management. I know her name and her voice, but I’ve never seen my case manager in person whatsoever. We’re to meet quarterly in my dwelling, which I’m guessing is about four times a year. And I’ve had the same case manager for a year. Our first in-person meeting, she called to see when street cleaning was, and I couldn’t answer that because I don’t drive nor do I own a car. And ever since, she called periodically and much more so once the landlord at this particular building was slapping eviction notices on my door along with my other neighbors who, like myself, were formerly homeless. I won’t get into deep details because I’m grateful to have put that behind me. So in the midst of all this I just shared, I managed to continually place my name on numerous unbuilt affordable housing units waiting lists in hopes one day I’d get an email or phone call. And in fact, I did as I was in the middle of trying to settle this recent unlawful detainer since September of last year. So, I have been blessed and chosen since I’ve met the requirements to dwell in my beautiful studio of this beautiful newly built affordable housing building and can finally say I’m home. I am here to ask of you for any little bit of funds you can spare to jump-start my making it a humble furnished abode, and if not, no worries. I’d appreciate it if you can help by sharing my page because I’m not as popular as some of you all, lol, and I’m okay with that. I have a beat-up air bed, and I love it, so by no means am I complaining. Can’t say Nuggy’s a fan, lol. But it came with a fridge and stove, so I’m eternally grateful for that. So as of now, Nuggy is set because his furniture is all that decorates our living quarters. Well, I thank you kindly for your time in reading my story and listening as to how and why I’m here today. Wish you all many blessings.

Phoebe & Nugette Valencia

permanent resident 

of East Hollywood