Wendy believes she may have been the very first resident to move into TNDC’s newest community at 383 6th Ave, the first 100% affordable housing development in the Inner Richmond, a building devoted to seniors and veterans like Wendy. “I'm a Marine Corps veteran. I served from 1977 to 1981 Quantico, Virginia, and Iwakuni, Japan, and that's how I got to go to college and got to be an artist. I got my career because of the Marines. Thank God for the Marines. I love the Marines. I'm serious, man, I love the Marines, and I'll always praise, praise them for giving me the chance to go to school, because that's what got me a career, and I got those skills.
That's the best thing of all. On my first night here, I got in the kitchen and cooked myself a casserole. Oh, it felt so good. It's been so long since … I see I can get emotional over the littlest thing with this but, but I'm telling you… having your own place… there's nothing like it, especially if you know the difference.
Her pride in her service is very clear, and she credits the Marines for shaping her life, including helping her secure a stable home as the VA helped coordinate Wendy’s placement at 383 6th Ave. “The VA has been amazing. I have got more praise for what they do with the housing situation than anything. They've been so good to me.”
Wendy became unhoused about five years ago after an unexpected eviction. “I became homeless because my landlord didn't pay his taxes, and the next day they put a for sale sign in front of the house and told us we had to leave the next day.” Her journey from eviction to stability was far from easy. “I started in Richmond, Indiana—that’s where I came out at 55—and I I've been traveling from city to city, trying to find a place where people will look me in the eye. It took 11 cities to get here to San Francisco. It's a lovely place. I find people much more accepting and open here.”
I started in Richmond, Indiana—that’s where I came out at 55—and I I've been traveling from city to city, trying to find a place where people will look me in the eye.
Wendy lived in transitional housing for about a year before landing at 383 6th Ave. “I told them when I came in, you'll carry me out of here. I've never had a nicer apartment.”
Wendy teared up when we asked her what her favorite thing was about her new home. Her answer: the kitchen. “That's the best thing of all. On my first night here, I got in the kitchen and cooked myself a casserole. Oh, it felt so good. It's been so long since … I see I can get emotional over the littlest thing with this but, but I'm telling you… having your own place… there's nothing like it, especially if you know the difference. Anyways, just working in the kitchen and having something turn out right the first time … you don't lose that you know.
