Editor’s note: This is the second part of a nine-part project capturing the housing reality in Contra Costa County. Conversations of homelessness and lack of affordable housing have been ongoing for decades, but what progress has been to solve this issue? The Experience’s housing project, “A Tough Climb,” was designed to give readers a better understanding of the struggles many face and the steps being taken to improve housing accessibility and security for all.
When you think of a suburban family, the classic picture that comes to mind is big smiles in front of a home with a white picket fence. But the ability to afford the house pictured in your mind costs more than ever in the Bay Area.
After living in San Francisco for most of her life, Reese Clayton left the big city in 2007 for the suburbs of Contra Costa County to raise her daughter. When she embarked on her own story as a mother, she kept her eyes open for a new place to call home.
As she adjusted to Contra Costa, her family grew, and life centered around her daughter Gabrielle B and later three sons Ka’Fani, Ar’Mani and SeKani. Clayton found joy in the little things as she became a sports mom who loved showing her support and would spoil her children whenever she had the chance. Together, her family was able to build these memories, but the journey to finding the home Clayton was searching for did not come easy.
Even paying subsidized rent, the housing market became unaffordable for Clayton as she was evicted and moved to other areas to find a place to live.
It was not until 2011 that Clayton qualified for Section 8, which she has participated in under Housing and Urban Development since then. The federally funded HUD program assists low-income residents in finding housing based on set criteria such as income level and family size. Initially, she lived in a triplex with her daughter in 2011, but two years later, she found a home in Antioch, where she resided for over a decade and added three sons to the family.
Yet, things turned upside down when her landlord chose to sell, leaving them with a 90-day notice to vacate their home. On a tight timeline to find a new home while out of work after giving birth and also dealing with a work injury, everything was a struggle.
“It was very hard trying to find a place. [Section 8] is supposed to be for low-income families, but it makes it hard for you because of all the criteria and all the requirements you have just to get into a place,” said Clayton.
Unable to relocate in time, her family became homeless in 2022, and she describes the area they had to live in as “the trenches.” Clayton and her children lived in a small motel for over a month, uncertain where they would be next.
“It created a big hardship on me because I’m their parent,” said Clayton. “I felt like I failed them in a way, but then the system failed us because this program is supposed to be there to help, to assist, but it wasn’t.”
Even the most straightforward task of cooking a meal with only a microwave or shopping for groceries while being out of work became a burden for Clayton. Yet support was provided by her sons’ father, Anthony Clewis, who helped when they were unhoused. Clayton described him as their “biggest supporter, helping pay for motel stays and groceries for myself and the children.”
Despite her living conditions, setting the right example for her children was essential to Clayton. Seeing her daughter graduate from high school inspired her to enroll at Los Medanos College to finish her Early Childhood Education degree in psychology. She was inspired to be a role model for her children in higher education and better her career working with youth in the foster system.
As a mother, student and employee, Clayton balanced full days of activities, from being on time for her kids at school and showing her support at sports games, all while making time for classes and work.
Clayton describes “times when I wanted to throw my hands up and say, ‘I’m tired, I can’t do it anymore,’ ” but she continued with her children in mind.
During that month of uncertainty, the LMC Basic Needs Program strongly supported Clayton with a once-in-a-lifetime $500 check to subsidize food purchases while providing resources in her area. In addition, communicating with counselors motivated her to continue her passion even during stressful times.
From her experience, Clayton “does not wish a family to go through what we went through” and believes many factors need to be improved to ensure affordable and equitable housing for every family.
“I think the support that needs to be given is more knowledge, more programs to help low-income people,” said Clayton. “But also support mentally, physically and emotionally because it can be a hard time for them, and resources that help you get to where you need to be for home ownership.”
As the only member in her family to experience the bitter realities of homelessness, Clayton described that month as the “hardest month in a half of my life.” However, she never lost track of pursuing her goals, as she plans to graduate after the Fall 2023 semester at LMC.
She is currently considering transferring to California State East Bay to complete her work in psychology and social work.
“I hope to help families, single families and adolescent young adults with resources, strategies, techniques and information to help better their future in the foster system, life’s journey and much more,” said Clayton.
Resilient among Clayton’s challenges, her experiences continue to mold her foundation to one day purchase a place called home for herself and her family.
Clayton with a once-in-a-lifetime $500 check to subsidize food purchases while providing resources in her area. In addition, communicating with counselors motivated her to continue her passion even during stressful times.
Based on her own experience, Clayton said she “does not wish a family to go through what we went through” and believes many factors need to be improved to ensure affordable and equitable housing for every family.
“I think the support that needs to be given is more knowledge, more programs to help low-income people,” said Clayton. “But also support mentally, physically and emotionally because it can be a hard time for them, and resources that help you get to where you need to be for home ownership.”
As the only member in her family to experience the bitter realities of homelessness, Clayton described that month as the “hardest month in a half of my life.” However, she never lost track of pursuing her goals, as she plans to graduate after the fall 2023 semester at LMC.
She is currently considering transferring to California State East Bay to complete her work in psychology and social work.
“I hope to help families, single families and adolescent young adults with resources, strategies, techniques and information to help better their future in the foster system, life’s journey and much more,” said Clayton.
She is resilient despite the challenges and her experiences continue to reinforce her goal to one day purchase a place called home.
Editor’s note
A Tough Climb is a nine-part project that addresses housing insecurity in Contra Costa County from diverse perspectives. Check out the other related stories.
- Part 1: Special project on housing insecurity
- Part 2: Reese Clayton shares housing struggles
- Part 3: Mary Grigsby grapples with housing reality
- Part 4: Homes empty, while streets are filling
- Part 5: Recent changes coming to the county’s housing market
- Part 6: The cost to make affordability a reality
- Part 7: Cities respond to housing insecurity
- Part 8: Non-profits work to be part of the solution
- Part 9: Housing resources available for residents
