STOCKTON, Calif. — A three-story building in Downtown Stockton that has been housing homeless veterans since 2011 has closed its doors.
The City of Stockton says the landlord for Dignity's Alcove located on S. California Street shut its doors after being told to make repairs for water leaks and heating.
"Our regular heater, heaters are these wall heaters. None of them work," says Richard Bird, a tenant of Dignity's Alcove and a combat veteran in the Army's 82nd Airborne four years.
Bird has been forced to find a new home.
"This is my home. This was my home. The conditions in there are bad," said Bird.
Bird has lived with 32 other veterans at the nonprofit Dignity's Alcove since October.
Director Dianna Weiss says the building is in desperate need of proper heating and repairs for numerous water leaks. Plaster is falling off the ceiling in some rooms as well. In another room, a hose is stretched from an adjacent room to supply hot water.
"The problems in the building started a long time ago. Once fall hit, the weather started changing. It really became an issue," said Weiss.
Weiss said in October the nonprofit stopped paying the landlord because the necessary repairs were not being made. She says they made several attempts earlier this month to get the landlord to do the repairs before contacting the city.
"I just knew if I make this phone call, I know what's going to happen, and it did happen. I do feel that guilt because I have employees that are no longer working and our veterans did have to leave," said Weiss.
The nonprofit says they provide three meals a day in addition to counseling and other services.
Air Force veteran Ken Serra worked three years at the building doing security and more.
"The building is dire need of repair, dire need. It's understandable, but regrettable," said Serra.
Most of the homeless veterans have been placed in housing in other counties.
As a disabled veteran, Richard Bird credits Dignity's Alcove for advocating and getting him 100% of his Veterans Administration benefits available. He's living in a hotel for now.
"I'm here, and I'm just trying to live again, ya know," said Bird.
The attorney representing the landlord, Ming Ji, says the landlord "is facing financial difficulties to perform all repairs on his own."
At the same time, the attorney says the landlord is "working promptly...regarding the repair."
The city says it will reinspect the building on March 1.
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