When Joey’s mother passed away, his world was turned upside down. At just 22 years old, he lost not only his best friend but also his sense of security. The weight of this loss sent Joey into a spiral of severe depression, leading to the loss of his job, his home, and even his beloved cats. Struggling to cope with the overwhelming grief and mental health challenges, Joey eventually found himself in a shelter. It was there that he was connected with the CHN, where he finally gained access to stable, permanent supportive housing. But securing a home was just the first step—Joey needed more help to begin healing.
“The depression just got so, so bad, and I couldn’t stay on meds,” Joey shared. “There’s been the loss, the grief, it’s been a lot all at once, so I’ve been struggling with all of that on top of my mental health.”
As Joey’s depression deepened, he began hoarding trash, and the situation became dire. Trash piled up so high that his bedroom floor was no longer visible. When a maintenance worker reported the condition of his apartment, Joey’s property manager immediately referred him to CHN’s Supportive Housing Coordinator (SHC). Recognizing the severity of the situation, Joey’s SHC sprang into action to ensure that he wouldn’t lose another home.
Joey lives in an independent building where SHCs typically visit residents once a month, unless issues arise. However, understanding Joey’s unique needs, his SHC began visiting him weekly. Together, they worked to deep clean his apartment and established a daily cleaning schedule to help Joey maintain his living space.
Today, Joey not only has stable housing but also the crucial support he needs to truly thrive. With ongoing mental health support, he takes pride in his home and is even working towards getting a cat again. Joey’s journey is a testament to the life-changing impact of stable housing paired with compassionate, personalized care..
