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I know where homeless derelects come from
Queen of Swords
Member Posts: 14,355
You know those derelect individuals you see sitting in a puddle of their own urine, talking to buildings, wandering the streets with everything they own in a shopping cart? I know how they get there...
One of my clients has lived in his current public housing unit for the past 7 years. He's a good guy, has roughly the intellectual and emotional capacity of a bright 6 year old, due to his MH and MR issues. Did his gig in the group homes in his younger years, didn't work for him, as he is very independent thinking, even if not wholey independent acting. He still needs help with his money management, laundry, housecleaning, med monitoring, etc., the latter three which he will complete independently with prompts. He had some issues several years ago with his housekeeping, and was put on weekly inspections for cleanliness, and this has not occurred since.
Anyhow, we (his support staff) are notified by the relatively new property manager of the housing unit that he is going to be evicted. When we asked why, she tells us that it has nothing to do with anything he has recently done, but it is "at the property manager's discression" (as stated in the lease) and since he did have issues with the cleanliness of his apartment in the past, she is using that as grounds. Now, being that I've been in social services a few years, I can tell you that by my experience, his apartment is not that bad. Half a loaf of somewhat moldy bread in the cupboard, occasional coffee spill on the linoleum floor. And, as I have other clients in that same apartment building whose apartment are in far worse shape, and they are not being threatened with eviction. I (actually "we", his support staff) feel he is being targeted because of his oddness and somewhat scary appearance. Property manager told us herself that she wants to "change the image" of said apartment building. She wants it to "not be thought of as a place where people who have no place else to go live." Excuse me? You manage PUBLIC HOUSING?! If it is not anything else, that is what it is! Who are you expecting to lure into renting to?
So, if my client gets kicked out of his apartment, it will be impossible for him to find another public housing situation, so he will have to look at a a private apartment. Problem is, if he has a code violation on his record, he won't clear Section 8 housing qualifications for rent supplement, so he won't be able to afford the rent.
So we went to legal aid. Lawyer was a nice enough kid, but I didn't get vibes off him that told me we have much hope. Blah, blah, blah, will have to look up disability law, whatever. Property manager has already said bring on all the legal aid attorneys we want, she has beaten them before, and she will beat them again.
So, at the end of the day, that's what we're looking at. I'm so angry I could spit. He's a good guy, no problems with drugs nor alcohol, no loud parties, nothing except he had some issues in the past with his housekeeping, and he's a big scary-looking guy who likes to hang out at the front door of the building and smoke and drink coffee, which might "tarnish" whatever "image" the new property manager has in mind.
Thanks for letting me vent. Advice welcome.
One of my clients has lived in his current public housing unit for the past 7 years. He's a good guy, has roughly the intellectual and emotional capacity of a bright 6 year old, due to his MH and MR issues. Did his gig in the group homes in his younger years, didn't work for him, as he is very independent thinking, even if not wholey independent acting. He still needs help with his money management, laundry, housecleaning, med monitoring, etc., the latter three which he will complete independently with prompts. He had some issues several years ago with his housekeeping, and was put on weekly inspections for cleanliness, and this has not occurred since.
Anyhow, we (his support staff) are notified by the relatively new property manager of the housing unit that he is going to be evicted. When we asked why, she tells us that it has nothing to do with anything he has recently done, but it is "at the property manager's discression" (as stated in the lease) and since he did have issues with the cleanliness of his apartment in the past, she is using that as grounds. Now, being that I've been in social services a few years, I can tell you that by my experience, his apartment is not that bad. Half a loaf of somewhat moldy bread in the cupboard, occasional coffee spill on the linoleum floor. And, as I have other clients in that same apartment building whose apartment are in far worse shape, and they are not being threatened with eviction. I (actually "we", his support staff) feel he is being targeted because of his oddness and somewhat scary appearance. Property manager told us herself that she wants to "change the image" of said apartment building. She wants it to "not be thought of as a place where people who have no place else to go live." Excuse me? You manage PUBLIC HOUSING?! If it is not anything else, that is what it is! Who are you expecting to lure into renting to?
So, if my client gets kicked out of his apartment, it will be impossible for him to find another public housing situation, so he will have to look at a a private apartment. Problem is, if he has a code violation on his record, he won't clear Section 8 housing qualifications for rent supplement, so he won't be able to afford the rent.
So we went to legal aid. Lawyer was a nice enough kid, but I didn't get vibes off him that told me we have much hope. Blah, blah, blah, will have to look up disability law, whatever. Property manager has already said bring on all the legal aid attorneys we want, she has beaten them before, and she will beat them again.
So, at the end of the day, that's what we're looking at. I'm so angry I could spit. He's a good guy, no problems with drugs nor alcohol, no loud parties, nothing except he had some issues in the past with his housekeeping, and he's a big scary-looking guy who likes to hang out at the front door of the building and smoke and drink coffee, which might "tarnish" whatever "image" the new property manager has in mind.
Thanks for letting me vent. Advice welcome.
Comments
kudos to you for sticking with such a hard job.
Ben
Leave me get this straight. The property manager makes the decision. Why were they in the apartment? Was it a repair or did the management give proper notice to appear. The tenant could have cleaned up the home if proper notice had been given. Are there any complaints from other tenants? Any prior police envolvement at the apartment? After these answers I will reply back.
He did have an annual inspction recently, of which he was duely notified, as far as we know, he passed it. Possible complaints from other tennants. As I said, he is a scary-looking guy, given to occasional brief outburst of swearing, that's it. No police involvement.
your a saint though
quote:Originally posted by select-fire
Leave me get this straight. The property manager makes the decision. Why were they in the apartment? Was it a repair or did the management give proper notice to appear. The tenant could have cleaned up the home if proper notice had been given. Are there any complaints from other tenants? Any prior police envolvement at the apartment? After these answers I will reply back.
He did have an annual inspction recently, of which he was duely notified, as far as we know, he passed it. Possible complaints from other tennants. As I said, he is a scary-looking guy, given to occasional brief outburst of swearing, that's it. No police involvement.
Well if this is section 8 housing he is on a year lease. The only way he can be evicted is if he breaches the agreement. In SC he has 14 days to correct the breech. An eviction can be filed but if the breech is corrected the management is barking up the wrong tree to evict. If rent is current management is screwed. I would also state the comment from management about how they can evict is unprofessional. He has rights too. Unless there are police reports of stupidity on his behalf I would tend to say the tenant needs someone to help him out to keep a roof over his head. Some landlords thrive on unknowledgable tenants to evict. What is also the vacancy turnover... very important to show the Judge. Do they have a lot or very little. Shows how management is handling the situations.
If others knew him to be the good guy you know him as, this wouldn't be happening. I don't like scary looking people loitering about either.
Keep fighting the good fight.
2) Picket
3) Pro-* attorney.
4) Are you sure the ACLU won't get involved ??
Doug
However, if he is a white male I am guessing no one but you will try to help him.
Thanks for doing your job.