A Place of His Own: Mr. C's Path to Stable Senior Housing

Photo by Ales S.

Mr. C, a 60-year-old Korean immigrant, built his life in the U.S. through hard work and quiet perseverance. For 13 years, he worked as a long-haul truck driver, often on the road daily. His meticulous nature made him a trusted employee at work and gave him great pride in his driving. But the long hours and isolation took a toll. When a sudden health issue left him unable to keep working, his life changed overnight.

Despite the financial strain caused by this abrupt change, Mr. C proactively applied for disability benefits and found stable housing by living with roommates. While grateful to have a roof over his head, he shares a home with four other people, making it difficult to maintain privacy and independence. He has limited space to organize his belongings as he wishes, cannot cook meals comfortably, and struggles to find quiet moments for himself. For Mr. C, an affordable home of his own would restore not just privacy, but his sense of dignity and stability.

He hopes to move into an affordable senior apartment where he can live safely and independently, especially after experiencing tense interactions with his current landlord’s family. Mr. C looks forward to the day he can feel truly secure in his own home. He dreams of simple things: preparing Korean meals in his own kitchen, picking out his own furniture, and enjoying peace without unpredictable disruptions.

Like many limited-English-proficient seniors, Mr. C faced significant barriers navigating the complex housing system until he connected with a Korean-speaking housing counselor at HANA Center. With culturally and linguistically responsive support, he was able to search online databases, understand eligibility rules, gather required documents, and successfully complete 15 senior housing applications—a critical service, as many immigrant seniors cannot access traditional support due to language barriers and limited access to technology. Through counseling, he also strengthened his financial readiness and gained confidence in understanding rental agreements and program requirements.

Despite his progress, Mr. C—like many other low-income seniors—now faces a long wait of months, if not years, to be approved for housing. Mr. C’s experience story reflects a broader issue: the severe shortage of affordable senior housing and the long waitlists that keep low-income, immigrant elders in precarious situations. In 2025, HANA Center supported more than 35 Korean-speaking seniors in applying for affordable housing, bridging language and technology gaps that often leave LEP communities excluded from critical programs. With sustained funding, supportive policy, and culturally grounded housing programs, people like Mr. C can move from waiting lists to lasting homes.

While he is unable to return to work, Mr. C remains hopeful, proud of his efforts, and determined to secure a place of his own. With continued support, he is taking steps toward a future defined by stability and dignity.

This story was created in partnership with National CAPACD with support from Wells Fargo. The featured stock image is not associated with Mr. C or HANA Center.