Eugene

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

Published

6 years ago

November 2, 2020

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.

Related Topics:

Up Next

Apartment Owners Challenge Plan for New WinCo in Eugene

Don't Miss

Eugene Will Move City Offices To LCC’s Mary Spilde Center

Eugene1 week ago

Oregon Sens. Wyden and Merkley join California Sen. Padilla in demanding answers from Trump administration over controversial plans to turn public lands into data center sites

Eugene4 days ago

Person suffers multiple fractures after falling nearly 50 feet from cliff near Franklin Boulevard

Eugene4 days ago

17-year-old charged with first-degree assault after shooting left woman hospitalized in Eugene

Eugene4 days ago

Driver arrested for DUII after crashing pickup truck into Old Spaghetti Factory sign in Eugene

Eugene4 days ago

ESF crews contain hopper fire at Swanson Mill in Springfield

Oregon17 hours ago

Oregon Sen. Merkley says Americans want cheaper gas and health care after judge blocks President Trump’s ‘ego-fueled’ 250-foot arch approved by panel led by his allies

Eugene17 hours ago

Eugene police arrest 42-year-old man after finding more than 360 grams of suspected methamphetamine

Eugene17 hours ago

One person seriously injured in West Eugene house fire as crews battle flames spreading to attic

Eugene Daily Post

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

Eugene

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

You may also like…

Oregon Sen. Merkley says Americans want cheaper gas and health care after judge blocks President Trump’s ‘ego-fueled’ 250-foot arch approved by panel led by his allies

One person rescued from West Eugene house fire as firefighters contain flames to single room

One person seriously injured in West Eugene house fire as crews battle flames spreading to attic

Eugene police arrest 42-year-old man after finding more than 360 grams of suspected methamphetamine

Driver suffers medical emergency, crashes into storage units along Eugene’s Beltline Highway

Person suffers multiple fractures after falling nearly 50 feet from cliff near Franklin Boulevard

ESF crews contain hopper fire at Swanson Mill in Springfield

Driver arrested for DUII after crashing pickup truck into Old Spaghetti Factory sign in Eugene

17-year-old charged with first-degree assault after shooting left woman hospitalized in Eugene

Oregon Sens. Wyden and Merkley join California Sen. Padilla in demanding answers from Trump administration over controversial plans to turn public lands into data center sites

Oregon State Police arrest driver for DUII after clocking vehicle traveling over 110 mph on I-84

Trending