Harvey Wade, who goes by “Pete” for no other reason than when he was a boy, he told people he would only answer to Pete, grew up in a single-parent family in Pottstown, PA, just 15 minutes from The Whitehall Apartments. In his earlier days, he even dined at the Whitehall Inn, which sat on the current site of The Whitehall Apartments before it was adapted as affordable supportive housing.

Pete was always trying to get away from home. In 7th grade, he ran away and stayed with his grandmother for a period of time until he returned home. Later in his teens, he lived with a friend’s parents until he graduated high school and made a major decision at 18-years-old – he enlisted in the U.S. Army.

Pete joined the Army in 1967 during the Vietnam War. “I wanted to go to Vietnam,” he said. “I wanted to know what was going on. It was something different.”

After his first tour in Vietnam, he transferred to Germany for the rest of his initial service. However, when his brother was stationed in Vietnam, he decided to reenlist for another three years to be there with him. Pete told his brother, “I will be right over to get you back out.”

In total, he served five and a half years as an ammunition storage specialist. Though he cannot pinpoint what exactly he gained from his experience in the Army, you will often see him wearing his maroon VFW #780 jacket with pride, which encourages community members to thank him for his service (and sometimes give him free meals, which he welcomes).

When Pete came home from Vietnam, he found work at the Firestone factory back in his hometown and was living in an apartment on Hanover Street adjusting to life at home. Over the years, Pete worked in factories making shoe polish and steel fabrications; he also spent time working at a bakery, a clothing store and a supermarket. Pete moved around a fair amount too, including a short time in Florida in the late 1970s.

Later in his years, the apartment where he had been living for 15 years was sold to new owners, and they raised the rent beyond what Pete could pay – he had also recently been let go from his job because of limited availability due to his dialysis appointments. He ended up living on the porch at one of his friends’ houses for a minimal fee for a year and a half. The situation was not good for his health as he was in his 70s, on dialysis and experiencing back and knee pain.

While at treatment at the Coatesville VA Medical Center, Pete talked to his case manager, who helped him secure a Housing and Urban Development-VA Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) voucher and introduced him to The Whitehall Apartments.

When he visited The Whitehall Apartments, he asked the property manager, “When can I move in? Can I move in tomorrow?” He said, “I was ready to move in here quick. You can’t beat the size of that apartment.” In July, Pete will celebrate his second move-in anniversary.

Since moving in, the VA has also helped Pete connect to benefits programs for service-connected disabilities – qualified as an injury, disease or illness incurred or aggravated during active military service. This has increased his income exponentially, allowing him to move on from the HUD-VASH voucher so another veteran can benefit from the program.

Along with the stability of having a roof over his head and being able to focus on his health, Pete takes advantage of the many programs offered by the Resident Services program at The Whitehall Apartments, including the on-site food pantry, community outings and resident engagement programs.

Pete’s favorite activity is Bingo and he has even won two times! Several local organizations host Bingo at The Whitehall Apartments, including the Phoenixville Rotary Club, East Vincent Lion Cubs and Guiding Hands Eldercare, and it is a huge hit with residents. Not only do they have the chance to win wonderful prizes, but residents also share a meal together and get to connect with their neighbors. This is a great way to build community among residents.

“Pete fits in well with this community,” said Resident Services Coordinator Antoinette Martin. “He always makes me smile whether it’s his usual ‘good morning, sunshine’, or when he comes and visits me while I’m working in the pantry. The residents know and respect him. He has become a familiar face around the building and always tries to support me by coming to events that I plan.”

When asked if he still thinks he would have been living on the porch had he not qualified for the HUD-VASH voucher and moved to The Whitehall Apartments two years ago, he said “I would have had no choice. I barely had enough to live on that porch.”

Pete is happy living at The Whitehall Apartments and has a home with “a big easy chair” and his TV – a place that is his own. He recently had surgery on his back and if he still lived on the porch at his friend’s house, he would not have been able to heal properly and safely. Housing has provided him with the stability to work on himself.

“I am happy, couldn’t be happier,” Pete said. “There is nothing as nice out there and this is a lot cheaper. This is a steady place with no problems.”