topic Re: Homelessness in Community Chat

Homelessness

hsawaknow — Thu, 24 Aug 2017 05:29:14 GMT

I have been renting a room from my landladys daughter for the last 4 years. I live in Cupertino, Ca, home to Apple, Google, Yahoo, Microsoft and many more high-tech companies and rents are very expensive. I live on Alimony only, and I cant work because I suffer from chronic pancreatitis, and I have flare ups about every 4 months that usually require a 4 day hospital stay. I also take oxycodone 3 times a day for pain control. Well my landlady passed away and the daughter told me I couldnt live there anymore, something about a trust set up with wells fargo. Well I have until 9/8/17 to find a place to live. I have a 11 year old son who lives with his dad and I see him on Saturdays so I am trying to stay in the area.
Well I have applied on Craigslist for rooms to rent up and down the whole bay area and what they want for a room is outrageous!!! 900.00 just to start. I only get 1200.00 a month. I have gone to the santa Clara County Housing Authority (section8) and I dont even make enough to qualify for low income housing. If it wasn't for my son I would move in with my sister in Colorado but I cant leave my son. Im afraid, my church, I asked them for help told me to move to the central valley so much for the Catholic Church. I have no options. I have applied to over 60 places. Im not in the best of health and Im going to be living in my car! My ex wont help me, I have asked all my friends. Please pray for me, I really feel like Im at the end of my rope. Thanks

Re: Homelessness

JaneMarple — Thu, 24 Aug 2017 05:36:03 GMT

OMG @hsawaknow, I'm so very sorry. I wish that I knew how to help but you are most definitely in my prayers.

Re: Homelessness

hsawaknow — Thu, 24 Aug 2017 05:38:40 GMT

Thank you. I am in shock that my ex husband of over 26 years wont even helo me.

Re: Homelessness

Noel7 — Thu, 24 Aug 2017 05:45:37 GMT

@hsawaknow

The welfare department used to have a financial aid program for the disabled, maybe a visit with a social worker might help. Are you in pain every day and unable to work?

I'm really sorry this has happened. If worse comes to worst, you might consider staying with your sister temporarily.

Re: Homelessness

shoekitty — Thu, 24 Aug 2017 06:11:38 GMT

I hear this more often than you think. It is hard! It is expensive living here. I live not far from you, and it is mind boggling what rents are. Can you move to San Jose or toward Gilr0y? People from out of state might say we make enough to live in a mansion. What they don't realize to live here you can pay 1-4 million for a 900 square foot bungalow in some parts of Silicon valley. It is not always a matter of picking up and moving either. Some jobs here you cant get anywhere else. I live in a 50 year old modest 1800 sq foot home. To buy my home back as is, we would have to pay over 3/4 million. Thank God we bought 30 years ago!, i thank God I was content to plant my feet here, and didnt move. So many of my friends did, and they wound up with 4000.00 dollar a month mortgages, and then.....life changed. Yikes!

I am convinced you will find a room. Hang in there. It might be last minute,, but it will happen.

I am so sorry you have to go through this. You have my best, and prayers.

Re: Homelessness

tansy — Thu, 24 Aug 2017 05:51:10 GMT

Have you spoken about your situation to a social worker at the hospital where you stay periodically?

Re: Homelessness

kitcat51 — Thu, 24 Aug 2017 05:53:22 GMT

I'm sorry, wish I had some helpful advice for you. Have you talked with your Drs office & explained your situation? Perhaps they might know of a temporary shelter you can stay until you can find a home. I've seen the stories of people in CA renting bunk beds in garages because they can't afford an apartment...what a stressful way to live. Seems you tried your best & I admire you for wanting to stay near your son. I wish you the best & will keep you in my prayers. Blessings.

Re: Homelessness

dooBdoo — Thu, 24 Aug 2017 05:56:10 GMT

@hsawaknow, I'm so sorry! I wish we all could come there and do something. I can feel your distress in your words. I agree with the other suggestions here. I suppose these avenues were already investigated, but just in case... are you sure you don't qualify for monthly income for disability, and have you inquired about the alimony limitations with your attorney? I realize you need to do something quickly, even if temporary, and the more people you ask the better chance there is for workable solutions. I think it's a good idea to ask anyone and everyone you can think of, because you never know who might have the answer you need. I have already said a prayer for you and will continue to do so. Please stay in touch. My heart is with you tonight and in the coming days.❤️

Re: Homelessness

Moonchilde — Thu, 24 Aug 2017 05:56:18 GMT

@shoekitty wrote:
I hear this more often than you think. It is hard! It is expensive living here. I live not far from you, and it is mind boggling what rents are. Can you move to San Jose or toward Gilr0y? People from out of state might say we make enough to live in a mansion. Whatmthey dont realize to live here you can pay 1-4 million for a 900 square foot bungalow in some parts of Silicon valley. It is not always a matter of picking up and moving either. Some jobs here you cant get anywhere else. I live in a 50 year old modest 1800 sq foot home. To buy my home back as is, we would have to pay over 3/4 million. Thank God we bought 30 years ago.
I am convinced you will find a room. Hang in there. It might be last minute,, but it will happen.
I am so sorry you have to go through this. You have my best, and prayers.

Farther south is more affordable, but there isn't much building, so available affordable is scarce. But Gilroy, Watsonville, even the foothills like Scotts Valley might have something worth trying for. Morgan Hill is just as expensive as San Jose. Maybe some parts of Santa Cruz.

My heart goes out to you, @hsawaknow. There but for fortune go many of us.

Re: Homelessness

shoekitty — Thu, 24 Aug 2017 06:08:37 GMT

They are building the biggest, affordable, low income project in Gilroy. It is called Alexander Station . Look it up. It isn't done yet, but they are taking applications. Many of the units are based on your income. Some are allotted for disabled, others low income, some section 8. It is worth looking into. They had a huge write up in the Gilroy Dispatch in the last month.

Re: Homelessness

elated — Thu, 24 Aug 2017 06:33:46 GMT

I think you should move to Colorado. Sometimes we need to make difficult decisions. I used to live in CA and do not miss it.

The people are kind and considerate. The state is beautiful. I would never go back. Being homeless is not an option. Take care of yourself.

Please let us know how you are doing. Can't you collect SSDI? Ask your doctor about it. Call the Social Security office.

Re: Homelessness

Moonchilde — Thu, 24 Aug 2017 06:45:46 GMT

@shoekitty wrote:
They are building the biggest, affordable, low income project in Gilroy. It is called Alexander Station . Look it up. It isn't done yet, but they are taking applications. Many of the units are based on your income. Some are allotted for disabled, others low income, some section 8. It is worth looking into. They had a huge write up in the Gilroy Dispatch in the last month.

Interesting - I hadn't heard about this. Most of the news I follow is from Santa Cruz south to Carmel. It does sound promising.

Re: Homelessness

phoenixbrd — Thu, 24 Aug 2017 08:35:44 GMT

@hsawaknow You will survive... one of those challenging times in life. Your sister offered you a place to stay and it would be wonderful to have some family support. Maybe, once you are settled, you can begin to explore financial options. It takes time to sort through systems that might be available to you. The bay area is very expensive. I'm sending love and light and know that you will make it through this tough time.

Re: Homelessness

cbrite — Thu, 24 Aug 2017 08:41:01 GMT

Terrible situation. I googled a few things for you. I do not know why you cannot get Section 8. A woman all alone is horrible. I looked at HUD too. You need Disability. What a man your ex is...but I do not know the entire story and is your private life sweetie. You are lucky to have your son. I see homeless guys everywhere I go. I give and give. A few women live in their cars or on Section 8 here. It's so sad. I'll see if I can add the info below. There was a LOT online but I took a couple of them here.

♥

Re: Homelessness

Big Sister — Thu, 24 Aug 2017 08:43:35 GMT

@hsawaknow You are definitely in my thoughts and prayers for a solution to your housing. I am so sorry.

You may try contacting your local county Office on Aging and see if they have any suggestions.

You may qualify for Social Security Disability Income (SSDI) if you worked before you became disabled.

Re: Homelessness

cbrite — Thu, 24 Aug 2017 09:06:08 GMT

To cheer you up a little...is a new tune by Peter Frampton... helping others... (is funny how so called friends disappear when you need them the most. I know....) HUGS

https://youtu.be/XPb3Y1YnvGM

Re: Homelessness

lolakimono — Thu, 24 Aug 2017 10:37:51 GMT

@hsawaknow

I'm sorry to hear about your situation. I found this and am including it in the off chance that you didn't see it already.

http://www.hellohousing.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/City-of-Cupertino-%E2%80%93-BMR-Rental-Units.pdf

Re: Homelessness

free-spirit — Thu, 24 Aug 2017 10:38:33 GMT

I am so sorry for what you are going through.

PLEASE call legal aid immediately. See if there is anything you can do to stop the evication. Perhaps your landlord did not follow the letter of the law, Even if they could get you a stay it will give you more time. Not many judges want to put a sick person on the street.

Re: Homelessness

SaRina — Thu, 24 Aug 2017 11:16:07 GMT

I'm very sorry to hear about your situation. You could go to your sister's as a temporary arrangement while you investigate options that are closer to your son. Call the Bar Association to hook you up with no-fee attorney services or call your Legal Aid Clinic directly, who will assist you for free. I think they would be able to advise you. There are eviction laws and I'm quite sure you cannot be evicted on such short notice.

It doesn't sound like you're old enough to contact your local Department of the Aging for housing advice, but you could try. Best wishes.

Re: Homelessness

Plaid Pants2 — Thu, 24 Aug 2017 11:37:06 GMT

What about moving to and living in Sacramento?