Help Me House 72yo “Nacho”

Please Read Until The End:

”Nacho” is a 72yo retired Mexican-American. He speaks very little English & has lived in Oregon since the early 90’s after the tragic loss of his only love. He’s a very respectful man & had many skills that allowed him to work many jobs throughout his life when his body was still able to. He rented a basement from a family for many years. One day, he was told he was no longer able to stay there. Without any family or income besides his SSI & at his advanced age he became homeless.

“Nacho” lived in a field here alone in Salem, OR for the last few years. After 2020, with the increase of houseless people, he soon found himself surrounded by other houseless who set up camp there. During the month of June, the City Of Salem displaced the camp where “Nacho” had set up home 6 years ago. He lost many belongings that he used to live. Over the course of a few days, on my route to work I noticed less and less people remained in the area. Eventually all were gone, except for “Nacho” who remained sitting not far from where he was displaced just staring across the field he’d known as his home. For days and then weeks.

Over the last week that I have spent getting to know “Nacho”, I have exhausted all available resources in this city. I have received more help from friends & strangers on Facebook; than federal, state and non profit organizations who can only suggest taking him into a shelter, where he will be asked to leave by the next day.

”Nacho” is the sweetest old man. He’s coherent & 100% present which hurts me the most. He doesn’t use, so he lives in his reality & feels how people treat him 24/7. He’s been hit by a truck & injured his leg; when I asked if they stopped he said “no, not even the people who saw it happened help me up or to pick up my stuff”.

I have been taking him food before & after I go to work but that will never be enough. Knowing he is outside sleeping on a tarp at 72yo with spiders crawling on him in over 100 degree weather keeps me up at night. I have never asked for any donations or help; but I am asking you, my community & my people to please help me house “Nacho”.

Salem’s resources are exhausted, waitlists are closed, programs are ending & quite frankly many of the people working for these resources are unhelpful, unprofessional & lack compassion.

I wish I had enough to pay out of pocket for his housing or that I had a place for him at home but as the oldest daughter, I already take care of my parents and younger siblings. Having to leave him there everyday breaks my heart. I know a lot of people will assume he’s a criminal; but he’s never even been arrested. He’s a good man whose body & time has just betrayed him & whose friends forgot him. He is scared he will be in trouble for not moving along like the others after being displaced. He’s too old to be moving with his few belongings & has had others steal from him because he is older & doesn’t speak English.

Please find it in your heart to donate & share his story & link with your favorite local business owners.

Thank you.