Interim housing for veterans provides stability

Stowell and Carol are living in an interim-housing program called Eleven-Eleven operated by LifeMoves, a nonprofit working to create paths to stable housing for those experiencing homelessness. 

Deriving its name from the annual Nov. 11 Veterans Day observance, the site offers 39 private, fully furnished units designed for veterans and their plus one. The program is funded by $11.2 million secured from the Veterans Affairs department through 2029 since its opening in late 2024. 

Prior to Eleven-Eleven, Stowell and Carol were living in a room and board in San Jose that would ask residents to trade in their EBT cards — or food stamps — to avoid raised rents. Carol described the people working at their residence in San Jose as “awful people.”

And when they were given three days to move out with all of their things, Stowell and Carol were on the brink of homelessness and left without a place to go. 

“We bumped along in that awful place and tried to get each other buoyed up because it was not a nice place,” Carol said. “You have to have a constant. He was my constant.” 

When Ariadna Sosa, the case manager at Eleven-Eleven, heard about Stowell and Carol’s situation from a liaison from Veteran’s Affairs, she worked particularly fast to get them a place to stay. 

Many interim housing programs designated for veterans concentrate on “veteran singles” or “veteran families with children,” Sosa said. The Eleven-Eleven program provides a trauma-informed housing model that provides interim residences that are welcome to veterans alongside their partner or caregiver. 

Since Stowell and Carol had to move quickly, many of their personal documents were misplaced in the process. After settling into their room at Eleven-Eleven, Sosa has helped Stowell and Carol visit the Department of Motor Vehicles, apply for HUD-VASH or permanent support housing vouchers, and even shop for new shoes. 

“The support here is unbelievable,” Stowell said. “They come with things I don’t even know about, like Medi-Cal. I look and just think that's confusing.”

Living among other veterans provides a sense of support from a community that truly understands, Carol said. Stowell even wishes they would add a picnic table where the vets smoke outside to let people sit and enjoy one another’s company more.

Down the hall from Stowell and Carol is Martin, a 33-year-old veteran who just got approved for his permanent supportive housing voucher last week. Martin has lived at Eleven-Eleven for close to three months. 

After serving in the Army for four years, Martin lived in his car or on the street, on and off, for approximately two years. After finding a program that helps veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder who turn to substance use get clean and find housing, Martin was connected with LifeMoves. 

“It’s been a roller coaster. There’s days where I want to give up and leave but thankfully I got it. Everyone here, they help you stay positive,” Martin said. “If things don’t go my way, they fight for me. They make sure I get treated like everyone else.” 

With his housing voucher secured with the help of Sosa and other staff at Eleven-Eleven, Martin will move to a new apartment in North San Jose in the coming days.

“I felt lighter, I felt taller. I felt like a lot of weight off my shoulders,” Sosa said. “Without this palace I don’t think I would have had the same outcome. They fight for you. They make sure no one looks past you. I’m very grateful.” 

After moving in, Martin will be testing to get his barber license and hopes to find a shop to work at soon. 

People showing they care changed Martin’s perspective on life.

When veterans feel lost or suffer from PTSD, it can be particularly hard to transition back into society, Martin said. But after being connected with support systems through the Department of Veterans Affairs, it’s easier to accept help like that offered through Eleven-Eleven. 

The Eleven-Eleven program is available to veterans experiencing unstable housing or homelessness who are focused on finding permanent supportive housing. However, there are some rules that can deter folks used to living on their own.

Residents are asked to not smoke inside the building, to not allow guests into their rooms and abide by a 10 p.m. curfew unless they’re working. 

While the rules were easy for Stowell, Carol and Martin to follow, they all acknowledged it’s not as simple for others. 

Whether it’s the tough skin residents gain while living on the streets or the fact they became used to doing things as they pleased, without supervision, it’s hard for many veterans to recognize when someone’s in their corner, Stowell said. 

Showing consistent support and advocating for veterans is the goal of Sosa and the staff at Eleven-Eleven. Making sure veterans know that is the hardest part. 

“There are so many lost, it takes some people longer to break away from the street and the street mentality,” Stowell said. “But that’s when it begins. Once a person feels comfortable, that’s when you move.” 

Reflecting on his time at Eleven-Eleven, Stowell said he really enjoys the nonprofit’s name, LifeMoves. 

“Once you get on the right track, life does move,” Stowell said. 

“Sometimes, it’s blocked … But you have to believe life does move,” Stowell said. “You can get past this, you can get past that, you can get past a lot of things.” 

Veterans in need of services or interested in housing support are welcome to call LifeMoves at (650) 222-2421 for more information.