Benicia's Hidden Homeless, Part 2

was published earlier on Benicia Patch.

When the Money Runs Out

Over the years, Andrea Reeder continued to receive funds but had no idea how much money she had. She believes her trust fund began with about $40,000 and thinks it grew in the 80's and 90's but doesn’t know for sure.  She had been receiving funds regularly until 2001, when two checks bounced without explanation. “Something felt wrong, but I had no power, no knowledge,” she says.

While working as a sign-language interpreter, the situation escalated and resulted in a lawsuit. The case was tried in 2007 but did not end well for Reeder. She used her remaining funds on lawyers and ended with nothing- no money and very strained relations with her brothers.

The Reality of Being Homeless in Benicia

No longer able afford rent on her Benicia townhouse, Andrea Reeder put her belongings in storage and began living in her car in February 2010. She finds herself pushing 70, with no steady income, no retirement and no home.

In June, her car was repossessed. Fortunately, a generous cousin gave her a car to live in. She received her last fund distribution in January 2011, eight years after she began the legal battle with her brothers over her trust fund.

Reeder has adapted to being homeless on wheels. After parking overnight in quiet neighborhoods, Benicia police directed her to a safe and legal place to park. “Nobody bothers me there.” Reeder receives mail at a PO box, has access to the internet at the library and has a gym membership so she can shower daily. “I run out of money every month. When I can't pay my cell phone bill, I lose service.” Reeder has Medicare so her stage-4 chronic kidney disease is being treated, but she cannot begin dialysis until she has a stable home.

Although she still works as an interpreter, Reeder says the work is inconsistent. She has no family in the area but friends have been generous. “Friends have helped out so many times. I've been bowled over by the kindness of people but there is a limit to what they can do,” says Reeder. “I don't want people to have to pay for me.”

Reeder is honest about the challenges of living in her car. The lack of a bathroom is always a problem. In August, her car wouldn't start so she had to spend the night in a shopping center parking lot. Around 2:30 in the morning she was awakened by an intoxicated man trying to break into her car and she had to call 911. Last month she ran out of gas on Interstate 780 and now that rainy season is here, Reeder anticipates more challenges.

Reeder looks like any middle class 70-year-old woman. “I am clean, I don't take drugs, I am educated with a masters degree, so a lot of people don't know,” she says. “If people ask where I live, I tell the truth. Most respond with 'I'm sorry to hear that'. Some ask questions, some don't. It's uncomfortable for people.”

She is looking for more steady work. Aside from interpreting sign language, Reeder has considered substitute teaching, writing, proofreading or editing “I have a good command of the English language.” She also plays flute for events, weddings and Open Mic night at . She's been playing since the age of 10.

Reeder chose to go public with her story to warn against improper estate planning. “It's a guaranteed feud in the making when siblings are set against each other.”

Homelessness is Countywide Problem

Andrea Reeder's story is disturbing, but she is not alone in her predicament. It's difficult to gather accurate numbers on just how many people are homeless in Solano County. Unlike Reeder, most don't come out as homeless. Many are hidden- right in front of us.

There are 32 homeless facilities in our county. Community Action Partnership of Solano (CAP Solano), is a non-profit that works to end poverty in our county. According to CAP Solano's statistics, there are enough beds for 660 homeless people in Solano county. That includes facilities for children, the disabled and people in transition.

At the end of May 2011, 90% of the beds in Solano were full. With the hundreds of homeless people in Solano County, each has their own story. Some stories are similar, some are unbelievable, all are sad.

This is the time of year that food banks and shelters rally for donations. The Mission Solano shelter in Fairfield accepts donations of clothing, food, money and volunteers hours. CAP Solano also takes volunteers. 

Donations of shelf-stable foods may be donated to the Foodbank of Contra Costa and Solano. Bins are at ,  and Travis Credit Union in the Southampton Shopping Center.

Food Drive bins can be found at Safeway and Raley's. Local schools also host their own food drives during the holiday season, so inquire at your child's school.  The  happily accepts donations too.

Job leads for Andrea Reeder can be emailed to flutesounds@aol.com.