My problems have gotten worse. Now I am also dealing with health issues, and it is definite that I will be needing surgery some time in the next month or so. I was served an eviction notice yesterday and am facing that situation also.
I have zero income, no phone, no car, and soon no house. I am at a check mate position and just want to give up. I cant take this anymore.
Struggling families nationwide apply for a free charity car at the organization’s car distribution website www.FreeCharityCars.org. The website was designed to make the process of choosing who receives a free vehicle as fair as possible by providing a forum where individuals can engage the public and pro-actively pursue their dream of car-ownership. The website also provides the charity with the ability to quickly identify qualified recipients and to match each donated vehicle with each prospective applicant’s specific need. Surprisingly, the unique website has organically morphed into an ever expanding online community offering compassion and hope to struggling Americans.
I'm in Santa Barbara, CA. I can definitely help you out with my utility dilemna. In a nutshell, after I lost my business in 2009, I've had a world of trouble keeping my family housed.. My two boys and I also lived homeless in our cars for just under one year. Now facing my ninth eviction in three years, and all utilities are in arrears.
But, not just a little bit.... The gas company normally averages $10 per month...I owe them over $300-. They finally caught up with me for late and unpaid bills for some of my past residences where I simply left the bills unpaid because I was dead broke.
The electric company won't even give me a new account, so I left the bill in my landlady's name (without her permission). I owe them thousands of dollars for past service for my business and home utilities.
I cannot open an account with the cable company for TV or internet because according to their records, I owe them over $1000-
Water and trash are paid by the landlady in this apartment, but I owe them over $300 as well.
Posted in sbhelgirl on Dec 8, 2011... modified on Dec 8, 2011
Hello, I am The Homeless Housewife
I am thrilled you are here. Please take a few minutes to look around.
You can read my (very true) story by scrolling down just a little. Be sure to visit my blog, and links and don't forget to shop at the store. All proceeds go towards the cause of getting women & their children to avoid homelessness and to remain or regain a home.The HPRP ( Homeless Prevention Rapid Rehousing) program was defined to assist families under the poverty level facing homelessness. Over the last two years my family was denied 9 times by the various Santa Barbara agencies in charge of these funds. We were not denied because we didn't qualify.......
On the contrary, please read on......
It is December 2011
I am a homeless housewife...and here’s my story............
but, before you read, I would like to take a moment to say this...
There are a number of nonprofit homeless outreach programs that do so much
research, statistic collecting, fundraising, advocating, storytelling and promising....
yet nobody follows through with actual assisting.
My family and I have been homeless for over one and a half years now.....
Yet nobody can tell by looking at us...We don’t act, dress, or smell the part. You won’t find us panhandling, or flagging signs. You won’t catch us squatting next to the 7-11 with three open containers.
It may be due to the fact that we don’t hang out at the shelters. You know the ones that house 100s of the stereotypical homeless Santa Barbara locals that randomly get put on the cover of our local weekly paper a hand clutched to a 1/2 pint of $1.75 booze.
In retrospect, we look for work, go to school, go to the grocery store, get gas, walk through the mall, and drive in cars....
...just like 98% of the population. We walk, talk and act just like everyone else. You may have walked right past us and not even known it. We are actors, invisible, like chameleons. We have the tendency to blend right in, not on purpose, or to trick or fool you. Simply because that is who we are. We hold onto every shred of dignity and pride that we have left....
because essentially that is all we have left....
That is ....our dignity,.... and an 8x12 foot storage locker that contains ethereal memories of our past. Memories of a three bedroom, two bath structure that we once lovingly referred to as ‘home’. Memories that tend to fade more and more each day, the longer and longer we go without a roof over our heads.
Most likely that storage locker is now double pad locked by the storage company due to nonpayment, with penalties and late fees that have accumulated into astronomical amounts overnight, with no rhyme or reason, making it nearly impossible to keep.
A storage locker that holds every last bit of our worldly possessions. And, though these belongings were once taken for granted, they now represent everything in this world that we hold dearly. They hold reminiscences of our childhood, of our children growing up, of our marriage, of our divorce, bittersweet memories, happy times, and trying times.
But then somehow we come to a realization. These items that remain holed up in that dark and dingy locker just don’t mean that much to us anymore.
We would rather fill our tummies, or pay for the comforts of a cheap motel room, than keep paying for that locker. So we start to sell off these items one at a time. First we sell the old overstuffed armchair that nobody really sat on anyways, next the kitchenware, dishes, pots & pans, and finally our heirlooms, and jewelry from Grannie that we vowed to pass on to our children’s children one day.
We garage sale our belongings, craigslist them, we even EBay and Amazon our personal possessions.
And we do this in hopes of a miracle; a simple wish that remains ungranted,
a wish to go‘Home’.
See, there are many homeless individuals like me...
We will remain invisible. Not because we choose to, but for a variety of reasons. We are the unseen. Perhaps it is due to our pride, or ego. It could be because we haven’t shown up on television or radio shows. You won’t find us on any 'Most Wanted' posters, we are not red flagging ourselves, and we do everything in our power to remain under the radar.
Maybe it’s because we don’t speak up enough, or we are too timid or ashamed or frightened to speak up. It could be because we are not belligerent drunks who, like a billboard, advertise their obnoxiousness for the entire world to view. We are not hooked on prescription pills, or booze. We don’t self-medicate with street drugs and we do not sling dope to all of our friends.
Though we have made every effort to seek assistance, we are unsuccessful. We apply at one, two, three...perhaps even to every single agency that advertise their services. The only result we get is rejection, denial and...
”Sorry, we can’t help you.”
“You don’t make enough money.”
“You make too much money.”
“You were too late in applying.”
“You need to come back again next month.”
“Well, you do have a car to sleep in, don’t you?”
“Oh, it’s warm enough to sleep outside.”
So, essentially we get passed over by agencies and remain not helped, not assisted, but instead we get rejected by every '”homeless advocate” agency in town...
And these agencies do not offer alternative solutions for us. Instead, they allow us to walk out their door with utter defeat and no solution to this epidemic disease we refer to as indigence. After a while we become accustomed to their rejection, and simply start to accept the word ‘No’. And we shuffle away with our heads a little lower, with no argument, or defiance.
We start to believe that we are unworthy of public assistance and housing programs. We even get rejected by the shelters.
We hear, “Your children are too young to stay here. They will be influenced negatively by the older homeless men.”
Or on the other hand we hear, “Your children are too old. They will influence the younger children.”
So, while the pot-bellied drunks get clothed, fed, and housed nightly, my family remains parked on some dark side street in 30-degree winter weather with pillows and a blanket, shivering our asses off all night. We don’t really sleep while we are parked out there in your neighborhood, because, believe it or not, we are more afraid of being seen or of getting caught breaking the law since it is illegal for people in California to sleep in their cars on streets.
We lay awake worrying about being harassed by people on the streets or ticketed by police. We lay awake wondering when this nightmare will end. Where will we get our next meal, and where will we go to the bathroom next. Where will we park unnoticed at daybreak, and where can we sneak into for our next shower without being recognized. We stay awake and worry about these things because in Santa Barbara the law states that if you sleep in your vehicle while parked on a public roadway or parking lot, the police can roust you. They can even nab you for vagrancy, & they will require an actual mailing address, proof of employment, and so on.
Heaven forbid we happen to get a citation for not wearing a seat belt. And, though we send in a written testimony in defense, it gets rejected, and we are found guilty. Then the citation turns into an added failure-to-appear infraction and that infraction goes to warrant, simply because we did not have the means to pay for the original no-seat belt citation. Then that warrant is reported to the Department of Motor Vehicles, and in turn, the DMV suspends our driver’s license.
At this point, we really never fall asleep at night because just by the simple action of sitting behind the wheel of our car, we have become lawbreakers and criminals. And when the police finally catch up with us, we get a real treat. Not only do they cite us… (Again), but now they are mandated by law to impound our vehicle for no less than 30 days. We are left standing on the side of the road, with a bewildered look of...
"Did that really just happen?!?”
and we question the fact that it is perfectly legal for the civil servants of our community to take away our car & only shelter and what is left of our personal possessions & the rest of our dignity.
We become accustomed to that dark cloud that refuses to dissipate from above our head. We don’t want to be noticed, so...we remain the unseen homeless...victims of circumstance, who damn well make sure we do not portrait anything but the quintessential perfect family to any unsuspecting onlooker. Because hell will freeze over before anyone discovers our dark, dirty little secret. We have been passed over repeatedly, with not even a blink.
But we want you to know, we are right outside your door.
And though you sit in your cozy little house with your cozy little cat, your Sunday paper, and your bunny slippers, we need you to realize that you may be next.
They say that the only thing that is sure is that nothing is sure.
So, take heed, and do not take your comfort for granted because in an instant, your world can change.
One more piece of advice…
If you seek assistance from your local homeless service providers, one thing is certain...
You willREMAIN homeless.
I am The Homeless Housewife. Please feel free to email me with any comments or suggestions atHomelessHousewife@Hotmail.com
Posted in sbhelgirl on Jul 29, 2009... modified on Oct 17, 2011
I wish that I soon find enough money to sustain my family for a while while I recover from my past. I wish that the suffering, anguish, and worrying just disappears and that everyone that I owe money to gets repaid by me. After closing my business I know that I did everything possible to save it and many people are very angry with me for the failing of the business. It was a local hang-out and I took that away from them. I wish to get enough funding to open up the new place and make it successful. I humbly wish for the funds to get a home, a car and to open up a new pool hall. I wish for this within a fortnight.
Ok, I guess if even one wish came true, or even half a wish, I would be so grateful! But while I'm here, I may just as well wish for the world at my fingertips. Within this last year my children and I have been homeless a total of 7 months, on friends' couches at first, until the welcome wore out, then hotels, until the money ran out, then sleeping in my car was, oh such a treat. I have a total of 5 evictions now, under my belt and on my public record for all creditors and landlords to scoff at. And all with in one years time.
Do you know how difficult it is to get a rental with bad credit...especially evictions. It's easier to peal my fingernails off. You pretty much have to 'embellish' on all your rental applications and hope nobody verifies the accuracy of it. That and try to 'charm' the pants off of them so they like you so much, that they don't check your records, or call your previous landlord. I think I have run out of friends to ask to pose as my landlord. I'm not really sure what I am going to do this time. I don't even have a dime to get into a new place. It really rips my heart out to have to do this to my children again. I am sure that this last year will affect them for the rest of their lives. The guilt I carry is almost more than I can take.
I had no clue that this economy would take such a toll on my family, nor that the assistance programs would act like squirrels with their nuts and hide the money and make it unreachable. I am short on rent and facing eviction now, for the nineth time in three years!!!! This is getting ridiculous!
Anyone seeking assistance please stay in contact with me. I am building a network of voices and I plan on being heard!! My email is HomelessHousewife@Hotmail.com.
The cold months are headed our way and it way sucks to be homeless in the freezing cold. My advice for anyone facing eviction and homelessness....Work fast, tell everybody and anybody about your situation, and eventually something will break. It has to!!!!
in response to smt1963...Hello smt1963,
It sounds to me like you have had some very negative interactions while you were in need. I can appreciate your animosity. I feel for you, brutha! The reason I wrote the letter, and created the website was for precisely the same reason. This economy has gone to sh**! And the people who are in charge, and those who come from generations of money, simply aren't recognizing how dire our straits are becoming. I wrote my letter and sent it to congress. I now have my congresswoman Lois Capps calling the local agencies, who in turn have promised to help me. I had to sign a waver at Catholic Charities in order to release my information to all the government officials that I originally contacted. I'm not looking for a handout from folks like you and me, who are in the same position. That would be absurd and mute. I am now a voice, a voice that will be heard across the nation. Thank you for your input. Please don't judge me as a scam or someone who wants to get one over on people who are just like me. We are all in the same boat. Lets unite, encourage each other, and get through this together to prevail against the darkside or what I like to call...benevolence of the bureaucrats. Take Care, SBHelgirl
Hello Marlo. I 'm right with you on the preachers comments. And I have to give you great big kudos and a, "Way to Go, Girl!" If we don't stand up for what we believe in, nobody will. I find it an invaluable skill and asset and anyone with the ability to stand their ground is admirable. As I said before, I'm not looking for a hand out. My organization is an established non profit corporation registered in the state of California. I am legally fundraising for my organization in order to benefit homeless women in the city of Santa Barbara, CA. This is my personal story and it is all absolutely 100% accurate and true. But also a fact is that I have had the non profit since 2007, before I lost the pool hall. I just never did anything with the nonprofit before now. Im in need, so it motivates me to improve my life, because NOBODY else will!
US Senators from California: Barbara Boxer, Dianne Feinstein; US Representatives from California: Adam B. Schiff, Anna G. Eshoo, Barbara Lee, Bob Filner, Brad Sherman, Brian P. Bilbray, Dana Rohrabacher, Daniel E. Lungren, Darrell E. Issa, David Dreier, Dennis A. Cardoza, Devin Nunes, Doris O. Matsui, Duncan Hunter, Edward R. Royce, Elton Gallegly, Fortney Pete Stark, Gary G. Miller, George Miller, Grace F. Napolitano, Henry A. Waxman, Howard L. Berman, Howard P. "Buck" McKeon, Jackie Speier, Jane Harman, Jeff Denham, Jerry Lewis, Jerry McNerney, Jim Costa, Joe Baca, John Campbell, John Garamendi, Judy Chu, Karen Bass, Ken Calvert, Kevin McCarthy, Laura Richardson, Linda T. Sanchez, Lois Capps, Loretta Sanchez, Lucille Roybal-Allard, Lynn C. Woolsey, Mary Bono Mack, Maxine Waters, Michael M. Honda, Mike Thompson, Nancy Pelosi, Sam Farr, Susan A. Davis, Tom McClintock, Wally Herger, Xavier Becerra, Zoe Lofgren; ------------------------------------
I am a homeless housewife...and here’s my story......
but, before you read, I want to say this...
Why do all of you so called nonprofit homeless outreach programs do so much research, statistic collecting, fundraising, advocating, storytelling and promising....yet nobody follows through with actual assisting ....
I was once a successful single parent with a regular life, and a real home, a car, a job, and a happy family. My family has been homeless for over one year now.....Yet nobody can tell by looking at us...We don’t act, dress, or smell the part. You won’t find us panhandling, or flagging signs. You won’t catch us squatting next to the 7-11 with three open containers. It may be due to the fact that we don’t hang out at the shelters. The ones that house 100s of the stereotypical homeless Santa Barbara locals that randomly get put on the cover of our local weekly paper, with a fat finger wedged up their fat nostrils, and a hand clutched to a 1/2 pint of $1.75 booze
In retrospect, we look for work, go to school, go to the grocery store, get gas, walk through the mall, and drive in cars....just like 98% of the population. We walk, talk and act just like everyone else. You may have walked right past us and not even known it. We are actors, invisible, like chameleons. We have the tendency to blend right in, not on purpose, or to trick or fool you. Simply because that is who we are. We hold onto every shred of our dignity and pride that we have left....because essentially that is all we have left.
…Our dignity and an 8x12 foot storage locker that contains ethereal memories of our past. Memories of a three bedroom, two bath structure that we once lovingly referred to as ‘home’. Memories that tend to fade more and more each day, the longer and longer we go without a roof over our heads. Most likely that storage locker is now double pad locked by the storage company due to nonpayment, with penalties and late fees that have accumulated into astronomical amounts overnight, with no rhyme or reason, making it nearly impossible to keep. A storage locker that holds every last bit of our worldly possessions. And though these belongings were once taken for granted, they now represent everything in this world that we hold dearly. They hold reminiscences of our childhood, of our children growing up, of our marriage, of our divorce, bittersweet memories, happy times, and trying times. But then somehow we come to a realization. These items that remain holed up in that dark and dingy locker just don’t mean that much to us anymore.
We would rather fill our tummies, or pay for the comforts of a cheap motel room, than keep paying for that locker. So we start to sell off these items one at a time. First we sell the stupid old overstuffed armchair that nobody really sat on anyways, next the kitchenware, dishes, pots & pans, and finally our heirlooms, and jewelry from Grannie that we vowed to pass on to our children’s children one day. We garage sale our belongings, craigslist them, we even EBay and Amazon our personal possessions. And we do this in hopes of a miracle; a simple wish that remains ungranted, a wish to go ‘Home’.
See, there are many homeless individuals like me...we will remain invisible. Not because we choose to, but for a variety of reasons. We are the unseen. Perhaps it is due to our pride, or ego. It could be because we haven’t shown up on television or radio shows. You won’t find us on any Most Wanted posters, we are not red flagging ourselves, and we do everything in our power to remain under the radar. Maybe it’s because we don’t speak up enough, or we are too timid or ashamed or frightened to speak up. It could be because we are not belligerent drunks who, like a billboard, advertise their obnoxiousness for the entire world to view. We are not hooked on prescription pills, or booze. We don’t self-medicate with street drugs and we do not sling dope to all of our friends.
Though we have made every effort to seek assistance, we are unsuccessful. We apply at one, two, three...perhaps even to every single agency that advertise their services. The only result we get is rejection, denial and...”Sorry, we can’t help you.” “You don’t make enough money.” “You make too much money.” “You were too late in applying.” “You need to come back again next month.” “Well, you do have a car to sleep in, don’t you?” “Oh, it’s July, it’s warm enough to sleep outside.” So, essentially we get passed over by agencies and remain not helped, not assisted, but instead we get rejected by every '”homeless advocate” agency in town...
And these agencies do not offer alternative solutions for us. Instead, they allow us to walk out their door with utter defeat and no solution to this epidemic disease we refer to as indigence. After a while we become accustomed to their rejection, and simply start to accept the word ‘No’. And we shuffle away with our heads a little lower, with no argument, or defiance.
We start to believe that we are unworthy of public assistance and housing programs. We even get rejected by the shelters. We hear, “Your child is too young to stay here. He will be influenced negatively by the older homeless men”. Or on the other hand we hear, “Your child is too old. He will influence the younger children.”
So, while the pot-bellied, smelly drunks get clothed, fed, and housed nightly, my family remains parked on some dark side street in 30 degree winter weather with pillows and a blanket, shivering our asses off all night. We don’t really sleep while we are parked out there in your neighborhood, because, believe it or not, we are more afraid of being seen or of getting caught breaking the law since It is illegal for people in California to sleep in their cars on streets. We lay awake worrying about being harassed by people on the streets or ticketed by police. We lay awake wondering when this nightmare will end. Where will we get our next meal, and where will we go to the bathroom next. Where will we park unnoticed at day break, and where can we sneak into for our next shower without being recognized. We stay awake and worry about these things because in Santa Barbara the law states that if you sleep in your vehicle while parked on a public roadway or parking lot, the police can roust you. They can even nab you for vagrancy, & they will require an actual mailing address, proof of employment, and so on.
Heaven forbid we happen to get a citation for not wearing a seatbelt. And though we send in a written testimony in defense, it gets rejected, and we are found guilty. Then the citation turns adds a failure-to-appear infraction and that infraction goes to warrant, simply because we did not have the means to pay for the original no-seatbelt citation. Then that warrant gets reported to the DMV, and in turn, the DMV suspends our driver’s license. Then, we really never fall asleep at night becausejust by the simple action of sitting behind the wheel of our car, we have become law breakers and criminals. And when the police finally catch up with us, we get a real treat. Not only do they cite us…again, but now they are mandated by law to impound our vehicle for no less than 30 days. We are left standing on the side of the road, with a bewildered look of, ‘Did that really just happen?!?” and we question the fact that it is perfectly legal for the civil servants of our community to take away our car & only shelter and what is left of our personal possessions & the rest of our dignity.. We become accustomed to that dark cloud that refuses to dissipate from above our head.
We don’t want to be noticed, so...we remain the unseen homeless...victims of circumstance, who damn well make sure we do not portrait anything but the quintessential perfect family to any unsuspecting onlooker. Because hell will freeze over before anyone discovers our dark, dirty little secret. We have been passed over repeatedly, with not even a blink.
But we want you to know, we are right outside your door. And though you sit in your cozy little house with your cozy little cat, your Sunday paper, and your bunny slippers, we need you to realize that you may be next.
They say that the only thing that’s sure is that nothing is sure. So, take heed, and don’t take your comfort for granted because in an instant, your world can change. One more piece of advice…..if you seek assistance from your local constituent service providers, one thing is certain. You will remain homeless.
Hello and thank you, smt1963...I will check out the lead...I appreciate it.....also did you see my newest site...its live...and its great...go to www.homelesshousewife.yolasite.com.....I am so proud, never made a website before...but I am on a mission..I even have a Homeless Housewife page on Facebook now. If you go to FB, find it and 'Like' it...Please everyone spread the word...thanks, SBHelgirl
Hello Marlo and thank you for the response. How sweet of you! Though my intention is something different. I am bringing our local homeless advocates to justice, and going to teach them a big lesson about how to run their facilities. And how to take care of needy clients, such as myself.....check out my newest website at http://www.homelesshousewife.yolasite.com It explains my mission a bit better.......I want to help others as I help myself...thanks for the offer. Sbhelgirl...or now known as The Homeless Housewife
in response to jimwtsn50...Hi Jim...You call also friend me on facebook..Do a search for 'Homeless Housewife' You will be my first friend!!!
And, A great BIG thank you!!!
I am a homeless housewife...and here’s my story... (nonfiction)...but, before you read, I want to say this...
Why do all of you so called nonprofit homeless outreach programs do so much research, statistic collecting, fundraising, advocating, storytelling and promising....yet nobody follows through with actual assisting ....
My teenager and I have been homeless for over one year now.....Yet nobody can tell by looking at us...We don’t act, dress, or smell the part. You won’t find us panhandling, or flagging signs. You won’t catch us squatting next to the 7-11 with three open containers.It may be due to the fact that we don’t hang out at the shelters. The ones that house 100s of the stereotypical homeless Santa Barbara locals that randomly get put on the cover of our local weekly paper, with a fat finger wedged up their fat nostrils, and a hand clutched to a 1/2 pint of $1.75 booze.
In retrospect, we look for work, go to school, go to the grocery store, get gas, walk through the mall, and drive in cars....just like 98% of the population. We walk, talk and act just like everyone else. You may have walked right past us and not even known it. We are actors, invisible, like chameleons. We have the tendency to blend right in, not on purpose, or to trick or fool you. Simply because that is who we are. We hold onto every shred of our dignity and pride that we have left....because essentially that is all we have left.
…Our dignity and an 8x12 foot storage locker that contains ethereal memories of our past. Memories of a three bedroom, two bath structure that we once lovingly referred to as ‘home’. Memories that tend to fade more and more each day, the longer and longer we go without a roof over our heads.Most likely that storage locker is now double pad locked by the storage company due to nonpayment, with penalties and late fees that have accumulated into astronomical amounts overnight, with no rhyme or reason, making it nearly impossible to keep. A storage locker that holds every last bit of our worldly possessions. And though these belongings were once taken for granted, they now represent everything in this world that we hold dearly. They hold reminiscences of our childhood, of our children growing up, of our marriage, of our divorce, bittersweet memories, happy times, and trying times.
But then somehow we come to a realization. These items that remain holed up in that dark and dingy locker just don’t mean that much to us anymore.We would rather fill our tummies, or pay for the comforts of a cheap motel room, than keep paying for that locker. So we start to sell off these items one at a time. First we sell the stupid old overstuffed armchair that nobody really sat on anyways, next the kitchenware, dishes, pots & pans, and finally our heirlooms, and jewelry from Grannie that we vowed to pass on to our children’s children one day. We garage sale our belongings, craigslist them, we even EBay and Amazon our personal possessions. And we do this in hopes of a miracle; a simple wish that remains ungranted, a wish to go ‘Home’.
See, there are many homeless individuals like me...we will remain invisible. Not because we choose to, but for a variety of reasons.We are the unseen. Perhaps it is due to our pride, or ego. It could be because we haven’t shown up on television or radio shows. You won’t find us on any Most Wanted posters, we are not red flagging ourselves, and we do everything in our power to remain under the radar. Maybe it’s because we don’t speak up enough, or we are too timid or ashamed or frightened to speak up. It could be because we are not belligerent drunks who, like a billboard, advertise their obnoxiousness for the entire world to view. We are not hooked on prescription pills, or booze. We don’t self-medicate with street drugs and we do not sling dope to all of our friends.
Though we have made every effort to seek assistance, we are unsuccessful. We apply at one, two, three...perhaps even to every single agency that advertise their services.The only result we get is rejection, denial and...”Sorry, we can’t help you.” “You don’t make enough money.” “You make too much money.” “You were too late in applying.” “You need to come back again next month.” “Well, you do have a car to sleep in, don’t you?” “Oh, it’s July, it’s warm enough to sleep outside.”So, essentially we get passed over by agencies and remain not helped, not assisted, but instead we get rejected by every '”homeless advocate” agency in town...
And these agencies do not offer alternative solutions for us. Instead, they allow us to walk out their door with utter defeat and no solution to this epidemic disease we refer to as indigence.After a while we become accustomed to their rejection, and simply start to accept the word ‘No’. And we shuffle away with our heads a little lower, with no argument, or defiance.
We start to believe that we are unworthy of public assistance and housing programs. We even get rejected by the shelters. We hear, “Your child is too young to stay here. He will be influenced negatively by the older homeless men”. Or on the other hand we hear, “Your child is too old. He will influence the younger children.”
So, while the pot-bellied, smelly drunks get clothed, fed, and housed nightly, my family remains parked on some dark side street in 30 degree winter weather with pillows and a blanket, shivering our asses off all night. We don’t really sleep while we are parked out there in your neighborhood, because, believe it or not, we are more afraid of being seen or of getting caught breaking the law since It is illegal for people in California to sleep in their cars on streets.
We lay awake worrying about being harassed by people on the streets or ticketed by police. We lay awake wondering when this nightmare will end. Where will we get our next meal, and where will we go to the bathroom next. Where will we park unnoticed at day break, and where can we sneak into for our next shower without being recognized.We stay awake and worry about these things because in Santa Barbara the law states that if you sleep in your vehicle while parked on a public roadway or parking lot, the police can roust you. They can even nab you for vagrancy, & they will require an actual mailing address, proof of employment, and so on.
Heaven forbid we happen to get a citation for not wearing a seatbelt.And though we send in a written testimony in defense, it gets rejected, and we are found guilty.Then the citation turns adds a failure-to-appear infraction and that infraction goes to warrant, simply because we did not have the means to pay for the original no-seatbelt citation. Then that warrant gets reported to the DMV, and in turn, the DMV suspends our driver’s license.
At this point, we really never fall asleep at night because just by the simple action of sitting behind the wheel of our car, we have become law breakers and criminals.And when the police finally catch up with us, we get a real treat.Not only do they cite us…(again), but now they are mandated by law to impound our vehicle for no less than 30 days. We are left standing on the side of the road, with a bewildered look of, ‘Did that really just happen?!?” and we question the fact that it is perfectly legal for the civil servants of our community to take away our car & only shelter and what is left of our personal possessions & the rest of our dignity.. We become accustomed to that dark cloud that refuses to dissipate from above our head.
We don’t want to be noticed, so...we remain the unseen homeless...victims of circumstance, who damn well make sure we do not portrait anything but the quintessential perfect family to any unsuspecting onlooker. Because hell will freeze over before anyone discovers our dark, dirty little secret.We have been passed over repeatedly, with not even a blink.
But we want you to know, we are right outside your door.And though you sit in your cozy little house with your cozy little cat, your Sunday paper, and your bunny slippers, we need you to realize that you may be next.
They say that the only thing that’s sure is that nothing is sure.So, take heed, and don’t take your comfort for granted because in an instant, your world can change.One more piece of advice…..if you seek assistance from your local homeless service providers, one thing is certain......... You will remain homeless.
I am the homeless housewife. Please feel free to email me with any comments or suggestions at HomelessHousewife@Hotmail.com
I am a homeless housewife...and here’s my story... (nonfiction)...but, before you read, I want to say this...
Why do all of you so called nonprofit homeless outreach programs do so much research, statistic collecting, fundraising, advocating, storytelling and promising....yet nobody follows through with actual assisting ....
My teenager and I have been homeless for over one year now.....Yet nobody can tell by looking at us...We don’t act, dress, or smell the part. You won’t find us panhandling, or flagging signs. You won’t catch us squatting next to the 7-11 with three open containers.It may be due to the fact that we don’t hang out at the shelters. The ones that house 100s of the stereotypical homeless Santa Barbara locals that randomly get put on the cover of our local weekly paper, with a fat finger wedged up their fat nostrils, and a hand clutched to a 1/2 pint of $1.75 booze.
In retrospect, we look for work, go to school, go to the grocery store, get gas, walk through the mall, and drive in cars....just like 98% of the population. We walk, talk and act just like everyone else. You may have walked right past us and not even known it. We are actors, invisible, like chameleons. We have the tendency to blend right in, not on purpose, or to trick or fool you. Simply because that is who we are. We hold onto every shred of our dignity and pride that we have left....because essentially that is all we have left.
…Our dignity and an 8x12 foot storage locker that contains ethereal memories of our past. Memories of a three bedroom, two bath structure that we once lovingly referred to as ‘home’. Memories that tend to fade more and more each day, the longer and longer we go without a roof over our heads.Most likely that storage locker is now double pad locked by the storage company due to nonpayment, with penalties and late fees that have accumulated into astronomical amounts overnight, with no rhyme or reason, making it nearly impossible to keep. A storage locker that holds every last bit of our worldly possessions. And though these belongings were once taken for granted, they now represent everything in this world that we hold dearly. They hold reminiscences of our childhood, of our children growing up, of our marriage, of our divorce, bittersweet memories, happy times, and trying times.
But then somehow we come to a realization. These items that remain holed up in that dark and dingy locker just don’t mean that much to us anymore.We would rather fill our tummies, or pay for the comforts of a cheap motel room, than keep paying for that locker. So we start to sell off these items one at a time. First we sell the stupid old overstuffed armchair that nobody really sat on anyways, next the kitchenware, dishes, pots & pans, and finally our heirlooms, and jewelry from Grannie that we vowed to pass on to our children’s children one day. We garage sale our belongings, craigslist them, we even EBay and Amazon our personal possessions. And we do this in hopes of a miracle; a simple wish that remains ungranted, a wish to go ‘Home’.
See, there are many homeless individuals like me...we will remain invisible. Not because we choose to, but for a variety of reasons.We are the unseen. Perhaps it is due to our pride, or ego. It could be because we haven’t shown up on television or radio shows. You won’t find us on any Most Wanted posters, we are not red flagging ourselves, and we do everything in our power to remain under the radar. Maybe it’s because we don’t speak up enough, or we are too timid or ashamed or frightened to speak up. It could be because we are not belligerent drunks who, like a billboard, advertise their obnoxiousness for the entire world to view. We are not hooked on prescription pills, or booze. We don’t self-medicate with street drugs and we do not sling dope to all of our friends.
Though we have made every effort to seek assistance, we are unsuccessful. We apply at one, two, three...perhaps even to every single agency that advertise their services.The only result we get is rejection, denial and...”Sorry, we can’t help you.” “You don’t make enough money.” “You make too much money.” “You were too late in applying.” “You need to come back again next month.” “Well, you do have a car to sleep in, don’t you?” “Oh, it’s July, it’s warm enough to sleep outside.”So, essentially we get passed over by agencies and remain not helped, not assisted, but instead we get rejected by every '”homeless advocate” agency in town...
And these agencies do not offer alternative solutions for us. Instead, they allow us to walk out their door with utter defeat and no solution to this epidemic disease we refer to as indigence.After a while we become accustomed to their rejection, and simply start to accept the word ‘No’. And we shuffle away with our heads a little lower, with no argument, or defiance.
We start to believe that we are unworthy of public assistance and housing programs. We even get rejected by the shelters. We hear, “Your child is too young to stay here. He will be influenced negatively by the older homeless men”. Or on the other hand we hear, “Your child is too old. He will influence the younger children.”
So, while the pot-bellied, smelly drunks get clothed, fed, and housed nightly, my family remains parked on some dark side street in 30 degree winter weather with pillows and a blanket, shivering our asses off all night. We don’t really sleep while we are parked out there in your neighborhood, because, believe it or not, we are more afraid of being seen or of getting caught breaking the law since It is illegal for people in California to sleep in their cars on streets.
We lay awake worrying about being harassed by people on the streets or ticketed by police. We lay awake wondering when this nightmare will end. Where will we get our next meal, and where will we go to the bathroom next. Where will we park unnoticed at day break, and where can we sneak into for our next shower without being recognized.We stay awake and worry about these things because in Santa Barbara the law states that if you sleep in your vehicle while parked on a public roadway or parking lot, the police can roust you. They can even nab you for vagrancy, & they will require an actual mailing address, proof of employment, and so on.
Heaven forbid we happen to get a citation for not wearing a seatbelt.And though we send in a written testimony in defense, it gets rejected, and we are found guilty.Then the citation turns adds a failure-to-appear infraction and that infraction goes to warrant, simply because we did not have the means to pay for the original no-seatbelt citation. Then that warrant gets reported to the DMV, and in turn, the DMV suspends our driver’s license.
At this point, we really never fall asleep at night because just by the simple action of sitting behind the wheel of our car, we have become law breakers and criminals.And when the police finally catch up with us, we get a real treat.Not only do they cite us…(again), but now they are mandated by law to impound our vehicle for no less than 30 days. We are left standing on the side of the road, with a bewildered look of, ‘Did that really just happen?!?” and we question the fact that it is perfectly legal for the civil servants of our community to take away our car & only shelter and what is left of our personal possessions & the rest of our dignity.. We become accustomed to that dark cloud that refuses to dissipate from above our head.
We don’t want to be noticed, so...we remain the unseen homeless...victims of circumstance, who damn well make sure we do not portrait anything but the quintessential perfect family to any unsuspecting onlooker. Because hell will freeze over before anyone discovers our dark, dirty little secret.We have been passed over repeatedly, with not even a blink.
But we want you to know, we are right outside your door.And though you sit in your cozy little house with your cozy little cat, your Sunday paper, and your bunny slippers, we need you to realize that you may be next.
They say that the only thing that’s sure is that nothing is sure.So, take heed, and don’t take your comfort for granted because in an instant, your world can change.One more piece of advice…..if you seek assistance from your local homeless service providers, one thing is certain......... You will remain homeless.
I am the homeless housewife. Please feel free to email me with any comments or suggestions at No-Mistakes@live.com
in response to CATLUV...I just finished sending Common Ground another email. They have all responded to me in previous inquiries, but then there's never any results. I keep getting shoved under the carpet. Believe me....I'm at my wits end. I even wrote Lois Capps our representative in Congress
in response to CATLUV...I was denied yesterday by Catholic Charities because I don't have a consistent place of employment.
Modest Needs now officially has 16 of my applications that were never funded
Posted in sbhelgirl on Jun 19, 2011... modified on Jun 19, 2011
To the attention of:
Barack Obama, US President; Jerry Brown, Governor of California;
US Senators from California: Barbara Boxer, Dianne Feinstein;
US Representatives from California: Adam B. Schiff, Anna G. Eshoo, Barbara Lee, Bob Filner, Brad Sherman, Brian P. Bilbray, Dana Rohrabacher, Daniel E. Lungren, Darrell E. Issa, David Dreier, Dennis A. Cardoza, Devin Nunes, Doris O. Matsui, Duncan Hunter, Edward R. Royce, Elton Gallegly, Fortney Pete Stark, Gary G. Miller, George Miller, Grace F. Napolitano, Henry A. Waxman, Howard L. Berman, Howard P. "Buck" McKeon, Jackie Speier, Jane Harman, Jeff Denham, Jerry Lewis, Jerry McNerney, Jim Costa, Joe Baca, John Campbell, John Garamendi, Judy Chu, Karen Bass, Ken Calvert, Kevin McCarthy, Laura Richardson, Linda T. Sanchez, Lois Capps, Loretta Sanchez, Lucille Roybal-Allard, Lynn C. Woolsey, Mary Bono Mack, Maxine Waters, Michael M. Honda, Mike Thompson, Nancy Pelosi, Sam Farr, Susan A. Davis, Tom McClintock, Wally Herger, Xavier Becerra, Zoe Lofgren;
------------------------------------
Helen Kramer
Santa Barbara, CA 93101‑3741
No-Mistakes@live.com
June 17, 2011
Re: Homeless assistance after 1 1/2 years of being homeless
In Sept 09, the HPRP program went into effect. I have been denied 4 times now in over 1 1/2 years
My family lost our home in April 2010. Since then we lived in the streets and I paid for a motel when I could afford one. After six evictions in a year in 2009‑2010, nobody would rent to me...I don't blame them. Although I must have applied for hundreds of apartments over the last 12 months, I was continuously denied.
Last month an acquaintance of mine introduced me to his uncle who had a vacancy in his apartment building. My son and I finally moved into a one bedroom apartment after 14 hellish months of living in the streets.
So, now, over a year later, I got into my first apartment. The day I was approved to move in, I called Casa Esperanza to schedule an appointment to meet for funding. I knew that without it, I would lose my home once again. I sold my old Honda for $600, borrowed $380, and got into the apartment on May 18, 2011. My appointment with Casa Esperanza wouldn't be until 13 days later, on May 31, 2011.
I went in for my HPRP funding request on May 31, 2011. Because I got into the apartment and did not wait for my appointment, I was again denied rental assistance. And the social worker said to me, "Why didn't you wait?" She must not have ever slept on the train tracks before! I am asking for help to stay into my home. I am so frightened of losing it again; I am making myself sick with worry. So, now that I’ve been in this home for one month, and I didn’t have all the rent, my landlord officially served me an eviction notice.
I have been instructed to go back to Transition House AFTER I receive another eviction notice, that I won't be eligible to get assistance until I have an eviction notice in hand. I find this so backwards and completely ludicrous. I need your help. My rent is now due tomorrow, and I don't have the rent money. If I wait to get another eviction notice, I know that the landlord will follow through and get me to move out...and then my child and I will AGAIN, be homeless with no hope of finding a a place to live any time soon. It seems that the local organizations in charge of HPRP are doing absolutely anything in their power to turn down eligible clients. I am not the only prime example. I know a dozen other women who have been denied assistance by these same organizations.
I have been court ordered to disclose to all prospective landlords, of my 5 previous evictions. I was in jail from January 21 to February 28 because of this. My (minor) son was left homeless and living in his car during my incarceration. Finding another home will be virtually impossible. Prior to this last month, when I wasn't incarcerated, I stayed at a Motel since January 2011 for $39.99 a night. Their rates just went up to $98.00 a night. This is no longer an option.
On another note, I was officially approved for Section 8 housing last September 2010, but they also have yet to release any vouchers for me in order to get affordable housing. I am at my wits end and don't know where else to turn. Please help me. I just can't do this anymore.
Voices For Victims; Loud & Clear was established in 2007 as an independent agency, to evaluate and monitor how victims are treated by the criminal justice system in Santa Barbara, California. In recent years, law enforcement personnel, the courts and other public agencies have made efforts to reach out to victims of crime, explaining the process and lending support. The existence of Voices For Victims; Loud & Clear provides oversight and advocacy when the criminal justice system fails victims.
Voices For Victims; Loud & Clear, as an independent agency, will monitor and evaluate the provision of services to victims of crime and to advance policies throughout Santa Barbara that promote the fair and just treatment of victims throughout the criminal justice system.
Profits from these donations will be used to finance this year's program. Voices For Victims operates as a non-profit organization under the laws of the State of California, and is pending classification by the IRS under section 501(c)3.
All donations to our agency are tax-deductible under publication 526 of the Internal Revenue Service
To help taxpayers plan their holiday-season and year-end donations, the IRS offers the following additional reminders:
Contributions are deductible in the year made. Thus, donations charged to a credit card before the end of the year count for 2006. This is true even if the credit-card bill isn’t paid until next year. Also, checks count for 2006 as long as they are mailed this year.
Check that the organization is qualified. Only donations to qualified organizations are tax-deductible. IRS Publication 78, available online and at many public libraries, lists most organizations that are qualified to receive deductible contributions. The searchable online version can be found on IRS.gov under, “Search for Charities.” In addition, churches, synagogues, temples, mosques and government agencies are eligible to receive deductible donations, even though they often are not listed in Publication 78.
For individuals, only taxpayers who itemize their deductions on Schedule A can claim a deduction for charitable contributions. This deduction is not available to people who choose the standard deduction, including anyone who files a short form (1040A or 1040EZ). A taxpayer will have a tax savings only if the total itemized deductions (mortgage interest, charitable contributions, state and local taxes, etc.) exceeds the standard deduction. Use the 2006 Schedule A, available now on IRS.gov, to determine whether itemizing is better than claiming the standard deduction.
For all donations of property, including clothing and household items, get from the charity, if possible, a receipt that includes a description of the donated property. If a donation is left at a charity’s unattended drop site, keep a written record of the donation that includes a description of the property and its condition.
The deduction for a motor vehicle, boat or airplane donated to charity is usually limited to the gross proceeds from its sale. This rule applies if the claimed value of the vehicle is more than $500. Form 1098-C, or a similar statement, must be provided to the donor by the organization and attached to the donor’s tax return. See IRS Publication 526, Charitable Contributions, for more information.
Since I was evicted on April 14th my family of four slept in my car until a week ago when I found a tiny hole in the wall motel for two hundred a week....Now thats the cheapest they get in Santa Barbara. Tomorrow's my 44th b-day but I don't have anymore motel money. And take my word for it, I've called all the local churches and nonprofits. I am at a loss right now...and cant really work without a roof over my head. Have you ever tried running an extension cord from the local Rusty's pizza to your car so your pc will work with a printer? I have! And all at the same time while ducking from the police since I'm breaking the law by parking overnight!!! OK, I thought I would just throw this out there just on the sheer chance that anyone would be so kind as to contribute towards my motel room which I have to check out of in 30 minutes. (11am PST) on my b-day May 1, 2010. The motel is $sixty five per night or $two hundred for the week. Other wise my family will again be sleeping in my car like we have done since April 14 when we had to leave our last rental.
Here since: Jan 4, 2009
Certified Community Studies Emphasis on Direct Services
Sacramento, CA, US
The Sacramento Resource Directory updates the entire database each year. Far too often people post health information on webpages and do not make sure the content is accurate and current. This cr... see full post
Hello All, I am a single 55 disabled female, living in Massachusetts. I have just been told by my local housing authority that as of yesterday I am at the top of the list for the State-Aided Massach... see full post
If you ask a church they may help. I am sorry you are having such a hard time. I wish I could help instead of asking people for help. It will be ok. I will pray that you find a way.... see full post
If you currently reside in Cobb County Georgia and need rental assistance, please refer to the contact information below.
From: "Regarding Women Ministry" <regardingwomen@... see full post
I am doing ok . need help in finding employment and getting transportation. a few weeks ago i lost my job and was involved in a auto accident which totalled out my truck . i need help in getting anoth... see full post
Iam an honest person making an honest plea for help!I was fortunate that my landlady gave me till monday to come up with $1800.00 are else me and my kids would be homeless.Iam a single,unemployed moth... see full post
My Savvy Sisters.Com is dedicated to providing the help you need. We have given away a $650 rental assistance grant as well as organized a job fair for women in distress. We are now giving away a $100... see full post
Well It's been almost 2 months since my husband up rooted our little family to move from a stable situation in Louisiana back home to Wisconsin. He has a decent job but not as much pay or as many hou... see full post
I need help with some place to stay. I have trying to get a divorce from my husband after 30 years of marriage. I stayed for the kids but my son is now 21. There is no reason for my husband to tell ... see full post
Hi,
My friend is in dire need of assistance to pay her rent this month. She is trying to get her life back in track and is running into many roadblocks. She's tried a few agencies but the only way th... see full post
My children and I are in desperate need of some financial assistance. To make a long story short, I recently lost my job and we had to move back in with my parents because we could not afford to be o... see full post
I am in need of housing for my children and I. I am currently renting a single room from a women for the three of us. This was supposed to be temporary but then my hours were cut at work I am now down... see full post
To the attention of:
Barack Obama, US President;
Jerry Brown, Governor of California;
US Senators from California: Barbara Boxer, Dianne Feinstein;
US Representatives from California: Adam ... see full post
$800 away from homelessness and need help. I've tried earning the money. I've tried raising the money. But it doesn't seem to be enough. I’m tired of websites offering single mom grants that don’t exi... see full post
I wish that I soon find enough money to sustain my family for a while while I recover from my past. I wish that the suffering, anguish, and worrying just disappears and that everyone that I owe money to gets repaid by me. After closing my business I know that I did everything possible to save it and many people are very angry with me for the failing of the business. It was a local hang-out and I took that away from them. I wish to get enough funding to open up the new place and make it successful. I humbly wish for the funds to get a home, a car and to open up a new pool hall. I wish for this within a fortnight. 
bad credit...especially evictions. It's easier to peal my fingernails off. You pretty much have to 'embellish' on all your rental applications and hope nobody verifies the accuracy of it. That and try to 'charm' the pants off of them so they like you so much, that they don't check your records, or call your previous landlord. I think I have run out of friends to ask to pose as my landlord. I'm not really sure what I am going to do this time. I don't even have a dime to get into a new place. It really rips my heart out to have to do this to my children again. I am sure that this last year will affect them for the rest of their lives. The guilt I carry is almost more than I can take. 
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