The Truth About Section 8
I am a 56 year old single mother. I worked for the Santa Monica courthouse for 18 years before unfortunate health events that led to me being put on permanent disability. I was actually born at Saint John's Hospital in Santa Monica and raised there way before anyone cared about this city. It really was a great place to grow up. I am currently living in Westchester courtesy of a temporary housing program with the Salvation Army. Since this is not a permanent arrangement the Salvation Army held my hand through the process of applying for Section 8. I finally got the phone call. I was accepted to receive my Section 8 voucher. I felt so relieved and thought I will be able to pay my bills every month on time without juggling which one is the most important and my checking account will finally never go into a negative balance again. I also need to buy a vehicle since I don't currently own one. My 15 year old daughter attends Saint Monica's Catholic School in Santa Monica. I am so grateful to the parents for their carpool and driving Chloe to school and back home for me. She has been going to school with her peers since Junior Kindergarten. There are many necessities one needs to buy while being a single parent. I am awarded a one bedroom with the maximum limit being $1948. Sleeping on the couch is a small price to pay in order to not be homeless. I was given a list of apartments in my price range from Section 8. There are literally ZERO apartments in my price range anywhere remotely close to Chloe's school. My options are San Bernardino and Lancaster. They looked directly in my eyes and suggested that I change my daughter's school. My heart sank. I know 100% that I will lose custody of my only child if I have to move that far away. Low income housing is NOT low income unless you have $3,000 a month to pay for a single/studio apartment. Google it for yourself. I'm devastated and hopeless. This is my reality.