Keys, Cake, and Community: Kelly’s Housewarming
Kelly and her mom share a joyful meal together during her housewarming celebration, marking Kelly’s move into her first one-bedroom apartment where she now lives independently. The wheelchair-accessible home also allows her mom to visit comfortably.
At 60 years old, Kelly Anderson is living on her own for the first time—and thriving. A passionate athlete who loves biking, playing tennis, and staying active in her community, Kelly has always embraced independence in spirit. Now, she finally has the stability and space to match it: a one-bedroom apartment she can call her own.
This new chapter was celebrated on a sunny Thursday afternoon, when friends, family, and longtime supporters gathered at the Meridian in Santa Clara for a joyful housewarming party. Laughter and happy tears filled the room as everyone honored a milestone in Kelly’s life.
“I like it here better. It’s nice to have a nice place and be here,” Kelly said as she welcomed guests into her home.
But Kelly’s independent living journey wasn’t easy. For a year and a half, she lived in a transitional home where the rent kept increasing. Eventually, the landlord decided to sell the house, putting Kelly at serious risk of homelessness. And while her mother is her closest support, moving in with her wasn’t possible—her mom lives in a care facility, uses a wheelchair, and is no longer able to provide daily assistance.
“Fortunately this apartment came up because otherwise I don’t know where she would have gone,” her mother shared. “She loves this place—and I love it.”
Now, Kelly lives in one of ten one-bedroom units at the Meridian set aside for people with disabilities through the HUD 811 PRA program. She pays just 30% of her income toward rent. The apartment is fully wheelchair accessible—an added benefit for when her mother visits—and its location close by from the care facility allows them to stay closely connected.
Kelly and her longtime friend of over 40 years, Justin, share a warm meal and conversation in her sunlit kitchen during her housewarming celebration.
Among the many guests celebrating Kelly’s milestone was Justin, one of her oldest and dearest friends. The two have shared over 40 years of friendship, and he was all smiles seeing Kelly so happy in her new space.
“This place that she just gotten is great for her,” Justin said. “It’ll be fantastic. She’ll do a lot better now that she’s away from the other and that she has more independence, great people around her. I love the staff, and yeah, this is definitely going to be a very positive thing for her.”
That positive turn came at just the right time. It was a lucky break when another applicant backed out, and Housing Choices’ Housing Coordinator Tran quickly stepped in to help Kelly apply. “I like working with her—she’s nice,” Kelly said with a smile.
After working part-time at FedEx for 25 years, Kelly lost her job during the COVID-19 pandemic. Her new apartment isn’t just a roof over her head—it’s a foundation for rebuilding stability and confidence.
With support from her SLS team and Housing Choices’ Housing Coordinator, Tran, Kelly received essential move-in assistance. Tran secured funding through the Wish Book Grant, which covered a microwave, kitchenware, and bathroom essentials. She also helped her access support from the Housing Industry Foundation (HIF), which paid for her security deposit and first month’s rent. This removed a major barrier to getting settled.
“Kelly is very social, so having her own place is going to be great for her,” said Tran.
Kelly’s mom couldn’t be more thankful. “I just see her being able to be very active. She’s very active in Special Olympics, in her church—she’s just a real active kid. I think it’s fabulous. And its location—it’s very nice. She’s got windows, nice and bright, and just the right amount of being independent.”
Kelly’s story is a powerful reminder that deeply affordable housing, paired with community support, can transform lives.