Gloria: Trying to use Housing Stability Plus

8/3/07

I’m sad. I was pregnant when I went into the apartment I found with my HSP (Housing Stability Plus) voucher. First thing, half of the bathroom ceiling fell in. Then all the ceilings caved in. They were repaired a month later, but last week the ceiling caved in again, and had to be repaired again.

I need a larger apartment. I told HRA. They said okay, so I told the landlord [in order to get a bigger apartment in his building.] But he said “only if the rent arrears are paid!” HRA owes him back rent on my apartment.

In the middle of July, housing court informed me that I had to move [because of the rent arrears.] Now I’m looking every day for an apartment, but no landlord wants to take HSP. The Parkview Hotel [a shelter where Gloria asked for information] told me that $950 is not enough to get an apartment. But $950 is the maximum that HSP pays [for a 2-br apartment for a family of three.] They said I should go back to the shelter.

I’ve been to realtors’ offices and made calls to as many landlords and real estate agencies as I can. I just get turned away. No one wants to take HSP. I don’t want my children to go back to the shelter. I don’t want to go back to shelter myself. I cry every night and pray. My daughter tells me “I wish I was rich, Mommy, so you won’t have to go there anymore.” I feel like I’m letting my children down.

FOR INFO ON OUR ONGOING CAMPAIGN TO FORCE THE CITY TO CREATE A *REAL* HOUSING SUBSIDY SO PEOPLE CAN GET *OUT* OF SHELTER:
http://www.picturethehomeless.org/rentsubsidies