Jan 02The Dignity, Love, and Warmth of Home

Arnold was a Washington State Park Ranger for 25 years. He met his wife at a Washington State Park. But when his wife was diagnosed with kidney failure, he decided to step away from his career to care for his family.

With his wife making multiple weekly trips to an Olympia dialysis center and in need of constant care, their savings were rapidly vanishing. They moved out of their home and into a motor home to save money. Eventually, that, too, became unaffordable. Fearful of burdening family and friends, they moved into their four-door sedan.

But Arnold’s community kept advocating for him and his wife. Former colleagues and friends raised money for them, sought resources, and raised the profile of their story. Thanks, in part, to a story featuring Arnold and his wife’s nightly struggle with homelessness that appeared in The Olympian, the couple was referred to Lacey Community Action Network. With diligence and commitment, Arnold and his wife were referred to Mercy Housing Northwest. In August 2020, Arnold and his wife moved into Evergreen Vista Apartments.

As Arnold said, “I knew my wife’s days were numbered. I didn’t want her to die in that car. Our new home was a weight off our shoulders, and it meant my wife’s final days could be spent in the dignity, love, and warmth of a home.” A year later, Arnold’s bride of 28 years passed away.

Since then, Arnold has grieved and found new joy and life through poetry, photography, and his Mercy Housing community. With access to resources like grief counseling, he often writes about the trauma of homelessness, the love of his life, and the hope he feels for tomorrow.

Arnold’s story is a testament to the fact that affordable housing can change lives – especially when paired with services that uplift residents’ personal aspirations. At Mercy Housing Northwest, we are proud to partner with Arnold and other residents to build safe, dignified communities where people of all ages can truly thrive.