Update on My Housing Situation

[Cei-U!]

I wish I had something positive to report in my search for a new place to live but so far it's going badly.

I've been through all but a handful of the subsidized/low-income listings my DSHS caseworker provided and I'm either too young (62 is the minimum age requirement), too smart (many are for the mentally disabled only), they don't take pets or there are no vacancies. What remains are those places located in notoriously high-crime neighborhoods or are too far for my sister to travel to every day.

My rent goes up on the 1st and, while I *might* be able to squeeze by for an extra month, my next utility bill will put me into the red. Optimistic though I've tried to be, I'm starting to really, truly despair.

But enough self-pity. I have another day of pointless, futile phoning to do. Guess I'd better get to it.

Cei-U!
I summon the angst!

[mattx110]

Good luck. I don't have your problems, but not having enough money and not knowing where I'll be living in a month is something I can relate to. And it sucks.

[DoctorDoom]

I'm sorry to hear. Good luck, Cei.

[Paradox]

Yikes, that's a pain, Kurt. Makes my little troubles finding this hovel sound like nothing. :frown:

Keeping good thoughts your way.

[Fabian]

I hope it all works out for you Kurt.

[darkhanamaru]

Are you in a swing state? Contact the obama campaign now!

But seriously, good luck to you. The laws on the roommate thing sound atrocious. Can you stay with your sister in the meantime?

[howyadoin]

I've been through all but a handful of the subsidized/low-income listings my DSHS caseworker provided and I'm either too young (62 is the minimum age requirement), too smart (many are for the mentally disabled only), they don't take pets or there are no vacancies.Could you pretend to be retarded? It'd be like a less-politically-correct version of Three's Company.

But seriously, this does indeed suck. Wish there were somethin' I could do to help.

[Sir Tim Drake]

I'm very sorry to hear that, Kurt. Have you considered contacting the local press or the city government about your problem?

[thehod]

Jeez that sucks balls Kurt.

Keep at it. Something is bound to come up sooner or later.

[K'Nort]

For what it's worth, Kurt, when I moved to Portland in 1993 (and you know what that was like), I had to bite the bullet and move into the crime-iest neighborhood. I was only there for nine months, and then was able to afford a better area, but there were no incidents.

I still vividly remember the manager of one apartment complex, about four blocks from where I ended up, assuring me that "you never even notice the gun shots after a while."

[Rob Allen]

Keep your chin up, Kurt. This too shall pass.

I'm eager to visit sometime this fall!

[berk]

Tough situation, Cei-U. Hope it works out sooner rather than later. Best of luck.

[Cei-U!]

Could you pretend to be retarded?

If I smoke enough I won't have to pretend!

In other news, I'm going to be contacting Norm Dicks, my congressman. Years ago, he helped my mother cut through a wall of bureaucratic indifference to recover a Social Security check stolen the day of my father's funeral so I'm hoping he can work the same magic for me.

Cei-U!
I summon the big gun!

[DonC]

That sucks, Kurt. I hope it all turns out okay.

[Puma]

Not much to add, but I wish you luck.

[howyadoin]

If I smoke enough I won't have to pretend!

In other news, I'm going to be contacting Norm Dicks, my congressman. Years ago, he helped my mother cut through a wall of bureaucratic indifference to recover a Social Security check stolen the day of my father's funeral so I'm hoping he can work the same magic for me.

Cei-U!
I summon the big gun!Fingers crossed, buddy. Fingers crossed.

[Fenris]

Dang, Kurt. I'm sorry to hear that.

[patrick r]

Hey Kurt,

Have you given any thought to contacting your local and district representatives?

I know Senator Debbie Regala's office has a "Constituent Casework Expert". If you email the Senator either she or her Legislative Assistant, Lisa Fisch, can help.

Here is a list of contact emails. I believe Tacoma falls into District 27:

Senator Debbie Regala regala.debbie@leg.wa.gov

Representative Jeannie Darneille darneille.j@leg.wa.gov
Representative Dennis Flannigan flannigan.dennis@leg.wa.gov
[/EMAIL]

Tacoma Mayor Bill.Baarsma@cityoftacoma.org
Tacoma Deputy Mayor Spiro.Manthou@cityoftacoma.org

Tacoma Council Member Rick.Talbert@cityoftacoma.org
Tacoma Council Member Julie.Anderson@cityoftacoma.org
Tacoma Council Member Marilyn.Strickland@cityoftacoma.org
Tacoma Council Member Jake.Fey@cityoftacoma.org
Tacoma Council Member Connie.Ladenburg@cityoftacoma.org
Tacoma Council Member Mike.Lonergan@cityoftacoma.org
Tacoma Council Member Lauren.Walker@cityoftacoma.org
[EMAIL="regala.debbie@leg.wa.gov"] (regala.debbie@leg.wa.gov)

[Cei-U!]

Those're some great resources, petriacce, thanks!

Cei-U!
I summon the helpful suggestions!

[Paul McEnery]

Those're some great resources, petriacce, thanks!

Cei-U!
I summon the helpful suggestions!

It's an election year, so being a representative who helps a disabled guy keep a home has got to be a win. Be shameless! And use the media, if you think that'll help.

More crossed fingers here!