| Of The Studios’ 170 units, 50 to 60 are designated for persons with documented disabilities. The remainder are for persons earning a minimum of $15,900 per year, an income guideline established by the U.S. Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Although all non-disabled tenants are required to meet the minimum income threshold when they move into The Studios, low-income wage earners are among the most vulnerable to job loss when economic conditions deteriorate.
To fulfill its mission of helping keep people housed, CCHV established a Rent Assistance Fund in 2009 to relieve some of the stress on tenants of The Studios who have difficulty keeping current on their rent because of job loss or a reduction of work hours. Here are a few of their stories…
Marilyn* has been an excellent tenant at The Studios for the past four years. Although she has been continuously employed by a local social services agency since moving into The Studios, her hours were recently reduced because of cutbacks in the agency’s funding. Marilyn is attending evening classes to become a legal assistant, but is quite distressed that her reduced income has caused her to fall behind on her rent.
Lucille was cut back to part-time hours for six months, then she was laid off completely. Lucille has multiple health issues, so Studios staff is helping her apply for disability, but that process takes 12-36 months. She hopes to claim unemployment benefits, but fears her employer will fight her because she sometimes missed work because of illness. About the time she was cut back to part-time, Lucille’s son was killed in a car accident with no insurance. She pulled together enough money to bury him but now she's behind on her rent.
Eugene lost his steady job three months ago. A felony conviction from his past greatly reduces his employment opportunities. He has been working as a day laborer whenever possible and puts everything he earns toward his rent, but strenuous work is risky for Eugene because he has hypertension and a heart condition. Eugene is bright and resourceful. He has two job leads and has been pursuing the necessary certification for one of them online.
Leon lost his job four months ago. His monthly unemployment benefit is less than the amount of his rent alone, leaving him nothing for food or transportation. Leon had a small retirement account which he liquidated to apply toward rent. He has been unable to obtain rent assistance from outside agencies because their funds are depleted until the next funding cycle. Leon is slated to begin a training program but he won’t get his first paycheck for two more months. He is very embarrassed about being unable to make his rent and is worried about his housing.
*All tenants’ names have been changed to protect their privacy.
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