T.O. man is still homeless
By Nancy Needham nancy@theacorn.com

Even though Thousand Oaks Acorn readers have come to his aid, Larry Mack continues to face the real possibility of homelessness. But the 73-year-old veteran and former police officer is determined to hold on to his dignity.

Mack owned Conejo Custom Tackle, 664 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., for 22 years before it closed recently due to slow business and a 30 percent rent increase. He's been sleeping in the back of the store and spends his days looking for someplace else to live.

He's been trying to find an apartment that will take a HUD subsidy, which he'll need because he must live on what he gets from Social Security- less than $500 a month, he said.

The problem is, every apartment wants to know how Mack's going to pay the rent. Since he has little income and no subsidy at this time, they don't want to rent to him, he said.

Some people had offered him money to pay his rent. At that time, however, he had no fund set up to receive such donations. Now a checking account has been opened in his name for those who would like to make a donation. Checks made out to Larry Mack can be sent to Santa Barbara Bank and Trust, 101 N. Westlake Blvd., Westlake Village, CA 91362.

Mack said he's on a list for the HUD subsidy but has no idea when the government program will decide if he'll get their assistance. It could be months; it could be longer, he said. He checked into the possibility of getting moved up on the list because he's disabled, but it will take more than a year to qualify as disabled, he said.

Being homeless and in fragile health may not qualify him to be moved to the top of the list, Mack said.

He's considered living in his old car until subsidized housing opens up, but he has to plug in oxygen and other breathing aids.

Since an article in the Thousand Oaks Acorn came out, some people have come by his closed store and offered Mack a room in their homes where he can stay temporarily. Some have also said he could bring his dog.

"I can't give up my dog. He's like my child, he's my only point of comfort," Mack said.

Still, he hesitates to take up one of their offers because he doesn't want to be a burden to anyone else. He also worries something could go wrong after he moves in. He moved into one house not long ago and had to leave because it was foreclosed on. That's how he ended up in the back of his store, he said.

"I have no gypsy in me. I'm not a wanderer. I want to find a place I can live and stay," Mack said.

He appreciates all the offers and the help he's received from the community.

"I want to thank everyone for their wonderful support. Most were anonymous; all are helping me continue on with my life. Without them my only choice was to go out and sleep on the street. With this help I've gotten, there's hope."