Yesterday I tried to help my tenant who had a stroke.

Below is my Facebook Post.

I have just spent the morning trying to find help for one of my tenants who had a stroke. She is unable to pay the rent and I cannot sustain not taking rent. I would like to find a solution to her problems that does not include giving her notice or evicting her for non payment of rent. Today she is surgery. I am a smart lady but have not found a solution. When she recovers she can try Jesse tree. This is not a long term solution. This person is not alone. These are the reason people become homeless. There seems to be no sustainable program to keep people in their homes. Her rent is $700/month for a 2 bedroom apartment. This is not nearly as much if she becomes homeless. If you know any resource that can help please let me know.

This is what I found out through Facebook and my  phone calls.

At this time I have found know sustainable solution.  She can go to a place called Jesse Tree and they will pay her rent for one month but they have had 200 requests this month.  She can go to St. Vincent de Paul (they will call her tomorrow).  Hopefully she can get another month then.  She can then go from church to church and go through there  processes.   A local firefighters union might help her.   Oh and El Ada will pay her utilities for one month.    Section eight is not even taking applications.   Maybe I should call the homeless programs and see if they have a way for her to stay in her apartment.  There are a few more programs if she had children under 18 but she doesn't.

She probably could take a roommate but she often doesn't make the best choices but that is a definite possibility.  Her son will take her to appointments but will no/cannot help with rent.  She isn't old she is in her early 50's.  She is in the process of applying for SSI disability but that can take a long time.   I have seen it take years.  She is up to the medical part.

There is very little affordable housing and without an income I can't see that landlords would take her.  I am almost tempted to put up a GO FUND ME page but her story is not unique.  It is a symptom of our society that we do not have an adequate safety net for when people are in trouble.  There comes a time when you cannot pull yourself up by your boot straps. 

To some extent "but there for the grace of G-d goes I".  Except I have an extensive family network that would let me come live with them if I was destitute.  The son lives in a 2 bedroom apartment with 2 kids and a wife.  

Today I will call her with the information I found out.  Maybe we can cobble something together before she recovers or her the SSI kicks in.  I am not a social worker.  I am a Realtor, landlord and property manager.