The Invisible Struggle
Nancy Tiffany, Housing Case Manager
Every day I talk to individuals who are struggling to survive in our county. They were doing OK and one thing put them out of their home, or they have a utility bill they are unable to pay, or they’ve paid the bills and now have nothing to eat. As a housing case manager for Sierra HOPE, I listen to people. In some cases, that is all I can do…listen. Sometimes they thank me just for listening. Of course, they would rather that I could provide them with a warm home or pay their bills or provide a meal, but sometimes I can’t do anything but listen. Funding is fickle, and requirements are specific, and sometimes I just can’t help.
I talked to Samuel, who is isolated and lonely in a snowed-in cabin where he does caretaking for a property. He thinks he should move, but we talk about how difficult it is to find a place right now and how expensive it is. He cries about his losses (his fiancé died, his children don’t visit) and discuss ways he can be more involved in his community.
I get a call from a young woman who is expecting her first child and her boyfriend left her. She has no money and can’t pay the rent. Fortunately, I was able to assist with some homeless prevention money, but she still has to face the struggle ahead.
Heather calls and says she had her unemployment suspended because she reported a missing check. The unemployment will eventually be reinstated, but in the meantime her landlord expects the rent to be paid. I am hoping Sierra HOPE will have enough money to cover her rent for the next month until everything gets straightened out.
I have a client who was in a shelter and we were able to help her get into a small apartment. We have been paying a portion of her rent every month while she applies for Section 8 housing assistance because she is on disability and will never make enough money to pay her full rent. We sent in the application and are awaiting the decision. Then she got very sick and was in the hospital for several weeks. We were able to make sure she didn’t lose her apartment while she recovers.
There are individuals living in their cars, sleeping in storage lockers, and on the streets during this cold wet winter. We don’t see them, but they are there…and they need Sierra HOPE in ways I never dreamed were necessary.
Every day I talk to individuals who are struggling to survive in our county. They were doing OK and one thing put them out of their home, or they have a utility bill they are unable to pay, or they’ve paid the bills and now have nothing to eat. As a housing case manager for Sierra HOPE, I listen to people. In some cases, that is all I can do…listen. Sometimes they thank me just for listening. Of course, they would rather that I could provide them with a warm home or pay their bills or provide a meal, but sometimes I can’t do anything but listen. Funding is fickle, and requirements are specific, and sometimes I just can’t help.
I talked to Samuel, who is isolated and lonely in a snowed-in cabin where he does caretaking for a property. He thinks he should move, but we talk about how difficult it is to find a place right now and how expensive it is. He cries about his losses (his fiancé died, his children don’t visit) and discuss ways he can be more involved in his community.
I get a call from a young woman who is expecting her first child and her boyfriend left her. She has no money and can’t pay the rent. Fortunately, I was able to assist with some homeless prevention money, but she still has to face the struggle ahead.
Heather calls and says she had her unemployment suspended because she reported a missing check. The unemployment will eventually be reinstated, but in the meantime her landlord expects the rent to be paid. I am hoping Sierra HOPE will have enough money to cover her rent for the next month until everything gets straightened out.
I have a client who was in a shelter and we were able to help her get into a small apartment. We have been paying a portion of her rent every month while she applies for Section 8 housing assistance because she is on disability and will never make enough money to pay her full rent. We sent in the application and are awaiting the decision. Then she got very sick and was in the hospital for several weeks. We were able to make sure she didn’t lose her apartment while she recovers.
There are individuals living in their cars, sleeping in storage lockers, and on the streets during this cold wet winter. We don’t see them, but they are there…and they need Sierra HOPE in ways I never dreamed were necessary.