Finding a stable place to live can be a Herculean task, especially for those with disabilities. Ulysses, a member of the Washington County Resident Advisory Board, is familiar with this struggle. Born blind and gradually losing their hearing by age 7, Ulysses faced additional battles with health and unsafe living conditions before discovering a lifeline in housing assistance. According to a recent feature by the Housing Authority of Washington County, it was the Mainstream voucher program that provided this much-needed support.
"As someone who is blind and hard of hearing, I have some barriers that I have had to overcome," Ulysses shared in an interview by the Washington County. Despite the challenges, they managed to secure housing in 2023 when an increase in funding for the Mainstream voucher program became available, this initiative specifically aids people under the age of 65 with disabilities. Ulysses highlighted the impact this program had on their life in the Housing Authority's feature, saying, "I felt a lot more liberated. Felt like I got a key of independence."
Adopting the voucher allowed Ulysses to move into a new apartment, though it wasn't without its problems. The building, constructed in 2004, lacked air conditioning and presented navigational challenges for someone blind. "The building was built in 2004 before climate change became a real thing. There was no A/C. A major issue is the trash because it’s outside, and I get lost so many times... Due to the blindness it’s hard to navigate where I am at, and you have to walk a ways from the building," Ulysses explained to the Housing Authority of Washington County. These hurdles, however, have not prevented Ulysses from playing a proactive role in the community.
Today, Ulysses continues to advocate for others in their position as a member of the RAB. Their experience underlines the necessity of housing programs for the disabled, and, the potential to significantly improve the lives of individuals facing similar challenges.
