Junia has visited the clinic for the past month. She first came in as she was checking on her place on section 8 and public housing. She then found out that her public housing application had been denied, but she was unaware. We wrote to the WHA to get more information and Greg Gibson (family division) has yet to return Paul's calls. We felt that the case should be reevaluated, as the denial may have been a fault of the WHA, not Junia, who claims that she constantly notified them of change of address. In the last couple of weeks, you have helped her do a housing search for a new place - and she has found one!
Junia is behind on rent. She has not paid May, June, or July. The next step is to move out of the apartment and find a more affordable place. For the new place she found, she has put $500 down of a $1000 deposit. I told her that I would fill out emergency financial assistance forms as she has exhausted most of the other resources. JF & CS (Jewish Families & Children's Services) cannot help. I spoke with the intake worker directly who is sad that the Homelessness Prevention Program has no founds. Salvation Army says they cannot help, although she is going back in today to see why.
Should we use the emergency financial assistance to provide her with the $500 deposit on the new apartment so that she does not lose the place? She gets paid today, but only $400. She will likely lose the place without a full deposit. I have told her to negotiate with the new landlord so that he doesn't give the place to someone else until the end of the next week - this gives her some time to find the funds. The move in date is August 1, and giving her the money WILL NOT solve her other problems - unpaid rent for May, June, and July. That she will have to deal with, and she is trying to work out a payment agreement with her landlord. I didn't promise her anything, but I solely told her that I am filling out an application for her.
She is coming back in Monday. I really don't know what to tell her anymore.
The question is - is providing the money to Junia sustainable? It will help her get this new apartment, but where is she going to get other help?
Thoughts?
If she gets the $500 -- she completes the deposit but still doesn't have first and last month rent (which is usually necessary).
ReplyDeleteIf she doesn't get the $500 -- she loses the $500 shes already put down and faces eviction for failing to pay three month's worth of rent.
I have no idea.