Housing Authority Of Salt Lake County Suppose to help low income familys, but increased rent price & used false income estimates to determine rental payments. SLC Utah
For many that have had to be on a public housing list in Utah, it can take up to two years to come up on that list. During those two years you usually do whatever you can to make ends meet, live in shelters, max out credit cards to pay for housing est.. I finally came up on the list and was contacted regardiing an apartment. I went in and was not impressed by the location or the apartment, but because I am desperate to get into a place for me and my children, I agreed to the apartment (we only get 2 choices.)
The housing rep went thru and had to calculate my income, bills est..
I included all my paperwork to show proof of income and bills.
We even made sure to show proof of thee 400 dollars in childcare I'm stuck paying a month (DWS is another issue within the state system.)
We concluded to set up a payment of $317 a month I'd get stuck paying.
I informed her that the income she put down was incorrect, along w/ child support income. She said that they'd go over the paperwork and do a readjustment since I was making a lot less then what they estimated.
After I moved into the apartment and going thru all the expenses from the move and the 250 LEASE sign up and the prorated month of rent. I received a notice that they were increasing my rent to $378 instead of lowering it.
Ok. So now I am in the middle of moving everything out of that apartment cause I can't afford that at all. I only make $600 a month (if I get all my hours.) So now I am over drafted for the extra expenses I incurred trying to move into a place. On top of that, the Housing Authority Rep was informed I was going in for surgery in middle of November so I would be out of work for 6-8 weeks. I also provided a doctor notes as proof. Now they will not work with me regarding that, so I'm expected to make more than I usually do a month, to pay for expenses that I couldn't even afford when I was working.
Now I'm trying to figure out how to move my childrens stuff back into the shed (yes a shed) that we were living in before. I have no extra money to do the move back and I am going in for surgery in 2 weeks. The Housing Authority is suppose to assist people that are trying to get out of the hole they are in, not dig a bigger hole and push them back in it !!
Ashley
Salt Lake City, Utah
U.S.A.
6 Updates & Rebuttals
Motoxcoma
Salt Lake City,Utah,
U.S.A.
Rebuttle responses
#7Author of original report
Thu, November 08, 2007
Currently I am only able to work 32 hours a week due to doctor appointments, dentist est...
And I am looking for a better job, the only reason I keep this job cause its flexible with daycare and more stable than the ones i have been in where I made more money but they'd not get the concept when a child is sick, I have to leave and get them from daycare.
On top of that, I work on a computer, I'm one of those people that work in call centers and handle all the so called "educated" peoples financial information and the person that people call for billing and technical matters when they can't figure out their internet and computer issues.
And yes.. my story makes no sense. I agree, but thats exactly how it is running.
I'm atleast trying to work and get back off the system. There''s many people out there that intentionally don't work and live off it for years (I have no idea how they do it) . I'm just in a hard time right now, I'm not a lifer on housing or that crud. Isn't the service suppose to help people get back on their feet instead of keeping them on the system?
I've noticed majority of the social workers really don't care about the people, they just care about keeping the statistics low and what looks good on paper. So misscalculating runs to their advantage, especially when most low income people don't take the time to look over the paperwork and are at mercy of what the social worker says. Especially when they hire a bunch of spoiled snotty college grads that have never lived in poverty in their own lifetime.
Patrick
Pawleys Island,South Carolina,
U.S.A.
Get off the system
#7Consumer Suggestion
Thu, November 08, 2007
Why not try to get off the system and get a better job. You stated "a payment of $317 I'd get stuck paying", how do you figure you got STUCK. Who do you think gets STUCK paying the rest of YOUR rent? That would be us tax payers. And you must not be working many hours a month if you only make $600. Try getting another job or even a second job so we arent STUCK with YOUR responsibilities.
Stacey
Dallas,Texas,
U.S.A.
Your story makes no sense
#7Consumer Comment
Thu, November 08, 2007
As an individual who is educated in the field of Social Work this story does not ad up. You state you and your children have to live in a shed but you have access to a computer - Did you go to the local library to post this or do you own a computer with internet access? If so - get rid of the computer, turn off you intenet access and stop sponging off goverment assistance ie: my tax dollars
Stacey
Stacey
Dallas,Texas,
U.S.A.
Your story makes no sense
#7Consumer Comment
Thu, November 08, 2007
As an individual who is educated in the field of Social Work this story does not ad up. You state you and your children have to live in a shed but you have access to a computer - Did you go to the local library to post this or do you own a computer with internet access? If so - get rid of the computer, turn off you intenet access and stop sponging off goverment assistance ie: my tax dollars
Stacey
Stacey
Dallas,Texas,
U.S.A.
Your story makes no sense
#7Consumer Comment
Thu, November 08, 2007
As an individual who is educated in the field of Social Work this story does not ad up. You state you and your children have to live in a shed but you have access to a computer - Did you go to the local library to post this or do you own a computer with internet access? If so - get rid of the computer, turn off you intenet access and stop sponging off goverment assistance ie: my tax dollars
Stacey
Stacey
Dallas,Texas,
U.S.A.
Your story makes no sense
#7Consumer Comment
Thu, November 08, 2007
As an individual who is educated in the field of Social Work this story does not ad up. You state you and your children have to live in a shed but you have access to a computer - Did you go to the local library to post this or do you own a computer with internet access? If so - get rid of the computer, turn off you intenet access and stop sponging off goverment assistance ie: my tax dollars
Stacey