« prizes/cashing out | Main | [s]mp- Round 3 »
shawn time 19.28.08..06.21.06
the day approacheth
important things shawn did today:
1. took Tom to the NW Pilot Project office for a meeting about housing,
2. see #1 above.
NW Pilot Project helps single people over 55 years of age find affordable housing. The meeting was fairly typical, I guess. A bunch of "intake" questions. Name. Dates. Living situation.
These meetings always take time, especially since Tom has a bit of difficulty speaking. So writing becomes the main source of communication. The advocate we worked with had tremendous patience and compassion for the situation....I guess that's why she does the work she does.
What I learned is that the Housing Authority of Portland (HAP) gives out section 8 housing vouchers, but the waiting list is closed, and when it opens to get on it you still need to wait at least 5 years before you can get in a place. The main reason, evidentally, is underfunding. Stinky. This is what I thought we would be up against.
BUT....there is another option which I knew nothing about. HUD has a program for people 62 years and older, that, if you qualify, you can get subsidized housing. You pay 30% of your income. HUD pays the rest. There are a number of places in Portland (I have the list!!!) that ONLY rent to 62+ for subsidized HUD housing. Who knew? Maybe all of you knew. I didn't. The cool thing is that because there are age specific housing properties, the waiting lists are significantly shorter than waiting for section 8 vouchers.
NW Pilot Project helps people get into this process with HUD and moving into a place of their own. They will help with a rental deposit, or help people move, or help aquire furniture or kitchen items, etc. Very cool.
So, our advocate lady asked Tom if there was an area of town which he preferred to live. He immediately wrote "SE". Tom grew up in SE Portland. So she pointed out a couple of the properties that she highly recommended. We will need to call through the list and arrange times to go fill out paperwork with individual properties and wait for availability. This is a good thing. A place to start.
but what hapened after that is the coolest...
Our advocate called directly the property manager for an apartment building that is well respected and of highest quality while we were sitting there. And, evidentally, she called at the right time. There is an apartment that is available immediately!!! That shouldn't be possibe. That shouldn't be true. There should be a waiting list of some sort, even if it is only a few months.
We have an appointment Friday to go fill out the paper work to see if they will accept Tom into this apartment building. It is not a done deal. He needs to be approved by the landlord that runs the facility. But our advocate was very surprised that something like this, in the building of choice, in SE Portland, is available right now.
So, if Tom gets approved, he gets his own apartment for 30% of his income.
So, for all you praying types.....pray for Tom. Pray for Friday. For those that don't... just give your money to NW Pilot Project. They have to stop some services because of low funding. But it is such a needed service to the elderly of Portland.
The day approacheth when all homeless will find (or be given) a place to call home.
Comments
Mom wrote this at 06.51.42..06.22.06
It appears that someone has already been praying...I am really happy for both of you and will continue the prayers
SarahZ wrote this at 10.51.46..06.22.06
Wow! Is this, by chance, the building on 39th & Holgate?
shawn wrote this at 11.20.51..06.22.06
yes it is.
is that bad?
