A Home for The Holidays: Eugene Veteran Gets Housing In New Downtown Apartment

Jose Gutierrez’s cheeks hurt from smiling. And he’s finally laughing like he used to.

For this first time in years, he has a roof over his head and a place to call home, thanks to local agencies.

“I’m not looking over my shoulder anymore,” Gutierrez said.

He served in the U.S. Marines from 1973 to 1977 and was honorably discharged. But Gutierrez, 68, experienced chronic homelessness for the last 20 years.

Between the threat of police asking him to move on and the danger of being robbed by others in desperate situations, it’s been a while since Gutierrez felt safe.

And he’s not an anomaly.

Veterans make up 10% of Oregon’s unhoused, an estimated 1,300 people, according to the Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs. Lane County data show that in October, at least 281 residents were veterans experiencing homelessness.