One veteran’s story highlights the struggles many veterans face

Joe Seitz, Program Coordinator and Lauren Fernz, SSVF Case Manager

From homeless to housed

Big Mike was sleeping by the steps of the local police department when we first met with him and promptly placed him into a local hotel. Over the next few weeks we discovered that Big Mike had, unfortunately, earned himself a reputation in his small eastern Kansas town that was making it difficult to get him into permanent housing.

His SSVF case manager was finally able to secure housing for him in a little town just a couple miles away. This was not an easy sell, as Big Mike really wanted to stay in his town. He finally realized this was a good move for him, and that he would still be close to the town he loved.

Homeless again, ready to overcome barriers

Five weeks into his new lease, Big Mike was served an eviction notice because of his behavior. He had episodes when he was loud, reciting Bible verses or other ramblings that scared people he did not know. Due to complaints, he was once again going to be homeless. Big Mike had a rough road ahead due to the multiple barriers he faced.

So, back into the hotel we placed him and our search for housing began again. Big Mike was now adamant he was not going to leave the safety of his community again. He was never demanding, and always appreciative of any assistance he received, but he was a proud and admittedly stubborn at times. The relationship between Big Mike and his case managers had grown strong, and they worked hard to get him housed. He participated in his housing search as much as he was capable, but it was proving difficult to get any landlords to allow him to rent due to his reputation in the community. He was being rejected at virtually every promising option we would find.

Search for housing continues

Winter and six months had now passed, and Big Mike was still sheltered in a hotel room in his little town. His case managers were making the three-hour journey from Wichita to eastern Kansas on a regular basis to make sure he had food and anything else he needed to sustain himself while the search for housing continued.

In early May 2022 the decision was made to send his case manager to his town and stay there until we could find someone willing to rent housing to Big Mike. During that week, the case manager met with several landlords and once they recognized Big Mike as the tenant, they would withdraw the offer to rent. While the case manager built relationships for future opportunities, the week dedicated to housing Big Mike came up empty.

Proud to have a place to call home

A couple weeks later, we received a call from one of those landlords. He said a property had come open, and he wanted to offer it to Big Mike. He understood the barriers that Big Mike faced, as he has been a longtime resident of the same community and knew of his reputation around town.

After eight months of being homeless and rejected so many times, Big Mike had an appointment to sign a lease. When the case manager picked him to take him to the lease meeting, Big Mike came out of his hotel room dressed up, even wearing a tie. Big Mike was so happy and proud to be given this opportunity to have his own place. The case manager said he was very respectful and promised the landlord he would be a good tenant and follow all rules.

Making an impact on others, while they make an impact on you

During a career of providing service to others, it seems there a people that you come across that just make a bigger impact than you expect. Big Mike was one of those people. He lived the last years of his life being judged, rejected and maligned. The hill he had to climb was something I pray I never have to face. Our SSVF program strives to always provide our veterans with dignity and respect. I believe we did for Big Mike. We are so happy he was able to leave this world in a place he could call his home.

Big Mike’s funeral was attended by many friends and family from across the country who loved him, as well as many community members from city government, police, mental health, social services and his current landlord whom had been pulling for Big Mike all those years. He was buried with military honors at Ft. Scott National Cemetery.