![\"Noble](\"https:\/\/sduptownnews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/02\/noble-and-john.jpg\")
(Foto por Sara mayordomo)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
One of these residents is John Watson, who has lived at the property going on three years. Watson is a veteran who said he has not ever drank or done drugs, and never believed he would end up homeless.<\/p>\n
After growing up in San Bernardino, he worked in the printing trade until he received a draft notice for the Vietnam war. After serving, he moved to San Diego and returned back to his trade \u2014 but it has become computerized. So he started going to school and volunteering for Veterans Affairs (VA), which turned into a full-time job lasting 20 years.<\/p>\n
But soon after he retired, his wife divorced him. Without a place to live, he moved in with a friend, Jerry, until he suddenly passed away from a coronary heart attack. The tragedy left Watson completely broke, since he had recently helped Jerry with a loan for a down payment on a Jeep.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was the decision that put me on the streets,\u201d Watson said. \u201cI\u2019m not kicking myself so much for it, but I sure learned from it.\u201d<\/p>\n
That one decision left Watson homeless for two and a half years, with one week spent living on the streets. \u201cI\u2019ll tell ya\u2019, sleeping on the sidewalk\u2019s not fun,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Eventually Watson was accepted into the VA Supportive Housing Program (VASH). He added that although there were a lot of rentals available for people in the VASH program, he found it impossible to find housing \u2014 until Robinson.<\/p>\n
\u201cI tried to get into so many places \u2026 there were so many landlords that wouldn\u2019t call me back, wouldn\u2019t let me look at the apartment, or any of that stuff. It was sort of depressing. And Noble \u2014 he was like right there,\u201d Watson said.<\/p>\n
In addition to hitting it off with Robinson, Watson knew the physical space was exactly what he was looking for.<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t want anything too big \u2014 I wanted something that would be simpler for my needs, but it had all the things I want. I got a kitchen, it\u2019s got a bedroom, and maybe the world\u2019s smallest restroom, but that\u2019s OK,\u201d Watson said, laughing. \u201cEverybody gets used to that.\u201d<\/p>\n
Currently, the complex has 10 one-bedroom units; five line each side of an outdoor corridor. Each unit includes a living room, bedroom, kitchen and bathroom, with renovations like windows and appliances, and laundry machines onsite.<\/p>\n
At $1,300 per month, the rent, which is under market value, is high. However, the rent is tailored to tenants, who pay a different amount depending on their circumstances. Some receive 100 percent coverage from SDHC, while others contribute a smaller portion. Watson, who has social security, pays 30 percent of his income.<\/p>\n
Last August, Noble received an award from Father Joe\u2019s Villages for his work in the homeless community. In addition to fixing roofs and taking care of other issues that come up, Robinson connects with tenants one-on-one and helps them offsite, driving them to stores or doctor appointments, such as one tenant\u2019s foot surgery next month at the VA \u2014 an injury he sustained when an army tank rolled over his foot in Iraq.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019d like to see some more landlords taking the steps Noble is,\u201d Watson said. \u201cThere\u2019s still a lot of homeless out there that don\u2019t trust the system, that\u2019d rather live in Balboa Park in a tent and that\u2019s sad … There should be more opportunity for something that Noble has going.\u201d<\/p>\n
Robinson said Watson serves as the eyes and ears of the building as the voluntary apartment manager. In addition to developing a professional relationship, the two have formed a strong friendship over the years, with Robinson referring to him as a brother. They often cook together, trade recipes and go out to eat.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd he won\u2019t let me buy lunch! I really don\u2019t like that. But not when we\u2019re going to get sushi \u2014 I\u2019ll let you buy every time then,\u201d Watson said, smirking at Robinson.<\/p>\n
And that friendship \u2014 and a passion for food \u2014 seems to be a common trend throughout the building.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve got great tenants here. We all get along \u2014 really good family situation here. And we\u2019ll continue that way,\u201d Robinson said, mentioning an increase in social events, such as their first annual Thanksgiving dinner last year.<\/p>\n
As the interview wraps up, another resident, Stuart, comes out to join us. Stuart tells us he currently has stuffed bell peppers with all the fixings cooking in the oven, inviting Robinson and Watson to come try some. When I leave the residence, I can\u2019t help but hear laughter and murmurs of future lunch plans drifting in the distance \u2014 lunch plans for a strong Logan Heights family.<\/p>\n
For more information about SDHC and its Housing Our Heroes initiative, visit bit.ly\/2tj7WBL<\/a>.<\/p>\n