According to Napoleon, “most places that are affordable are undesirable, with high crime and bad schools.” By moving to The Oaks, he was able to provide a safe neighborhood for his son and great education at nearby to De La Salle High School, a highly regarded Catholic boys school with excellent academic and sports programs.

Kevin Simon became a top football player and his team was undefeated all four years of high school. He went on to play football for the University of Tennessee, achieving a degree in Psychology. Most recently, he was drafted by the Washington Redskins football team, making his dad very proud.

Napoleon is now 65 years old and thinking about retirement. He has not had a vacation in eleven years. He stayed in Walnut Creek so that his son could have a “safety zone” to come home to over the years. Now he’s considering moving out of the area to a place with a lower cost of living. Even with affordable housing, he cannnot afford retirement in California.

“Someone has to get a handle on the spiraling housing costs. More organizations beyond EAH need to get involved. People like me are being forced out of the area,” says Napoleon.