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Comment

I was previously a clinical social worker w/ excellent credit. When I became disabled, however, and could no longer work, I could no longer pay rent and became a van-dweller. After fighting for Soc. Sec. Dis. for 3 years, I could not afford rent on the amount I then rec'd. Here are some of the issues I have encountered with rental housing, as a person w/ GOOD CREDIT, no arrests, and no mental health or addiction issues:

1. I was on Section 8 wait lists for over 20 years before my name came up. There is highly insufficient funding for federal housing programs.
2. When my name did come up on a list, they often did not allow enough time for the mail to reach me with the notice and respond by deadline. Many homeless, including myself, use the mailing address of a friend, necessitating the mail then be forwarded to the person. This could be solved by ALL housing agencies being required to have services and notices accessible online.
3. When they did receive my response, they often wanted me to appear in person in a matter of days necessitating instant travel which I often could not do. Again, this could be solved if voucher appts were available by phone or online.
4. Once I received a voucher, it was impossible to find any landlord who wanted to accept it due to the low payment standard of the housing agency. I have been through this several times.
5. When I do find a place, they often require a 3-year rental history to approve the application for rental. This is not only a huge barrier for people trying to overcome long-term homelessness, but is also discriminatory to the homeless. I do understand that a landlord may need some kind of references, In that regard, I feel that personal and work references should suffice so that a person's lack of housing history is not a barrier.
6. When I came up on one Section 8 list, after waiting 3 years, I was then told I was not eligible due to the street I parked on at night not being in their district. I informed them that, as a homeless person, I could park anywhere and solve that problem instantly but they still denied me housing benefits. This was beyond annoying.
7. As a person with special needs for housing, it is even more challenging for me find a suitable abode. I feel that federal programs could do more to assure that accommodation is made for disabilities, including the increasing number of people with Chemical Sensitivities, which requires stand-alone housing with no shared walls. When a person is single and only allowed one bedroom, it is near-impossible to find a stand-alone unit that size. A 2-bedrm should be permitted for those with special needs for non-toxic, stand-alone units.
8. I have been on one housing wait list over 15 years and have almost been kicked off the list more than once due to the number of letters they send out which require a response to confirm you still want to be on the list. I feel this should be limited, due to the risk for persons waiting a long time to lose their standing by not receiving the notice or being able to respond in time.

In short, getting housing assistance -- and subsequently finding a suitable abode -- is a nightmare. I have not been unhoused 23 years, a full ONE THIRD of my life, due to my low Soc. Sec. and inability to find affordable housing that will accept Section 8. And I am a person with not mental health problems who presents very well. I cannot even imaging how hard it is for people trying to live with mental disorders and other issues. Not only is there a great need for increased funding for vouchers, as well as a need for more affordable housing available, but the housing agencies themselves need to revamp policies that make accessibility of services easier for transient people who are trying to get by.

Thank you for receiving my comments. I hope it will do some good!