How can a poor single expectant mother get a place to live? (Eugene: low income, section 8)

[northoceanbeach]

It's not me by the way. My friend is in a bad situation. Pregnant and single, already two kids and needs to move back to Eugene quick! How can she get an apartment?

Does anyone know of any churches or charities that can get her in to something? It just has to be safe. Can't have the kiddos being in danger.

How do people get themselves out of bad situations like this? Does the kid or pregnancy put her at a greater priority?

What can I do to help? I'm willing to help, I'm not sure to what extent. I'm probably just doing the research and help like driving her around, and using my brain. I'm not sure about getting financially involved.

But she can't be homeless so something has to be done.

[Rubi3]

I've never heard of a charity that rescues people in dire circumstances. If she has family, that's where she needs to go. So far as financial help, her situation sounds like a bottomless pit.

[Metlakatla]

Call them --

https://www.ortl.org/

See if they put their money where their mouths are.

There's a link on the top of their site to the right that says "Find Help." It leads to some sort of helpline, so maybe they know of some resources.

[Sherwoody]

Where is she now? It would be simpler to find help where she currently is.

[Metlakatla]

There's also Shelter Care.

Emergency Services

[oregonwoodsmoke]

Originally Posted by northoceanbeach

....... Does the kid or pregnancy put her at a greater priority?........But she can't be homeless so something has to be done.

The pregnancy, 2 existing kids, and poverty might possibly get her a Section 8 housing voucher with a less-than-normal wait list time. Unfortunately, once the voucher is obtained, it is still difficult to find housing that will accept the voucher. Basically: single, pregnant, 2 kids, and no income is going to drop her to the bottom of the list as far as landlords are concerned. There is no landlord anywhere who is going to jump at the great opportunity to take over the care and feeding of her family for her.

You are wrong about one thing: she really can be homeless. She's got a really good head start on it right now. Something has to be done? You are assigning the project to someone else? You aren't going to do something yourself? It's your job to identify the problem and then "someone" is obligated to take over and do the "something that has to be done"?

There are a few churches that will come up with deposit money for their congregation members who are in need. If your friend belongs to an organized church, I suggest that she check with them to see if they have any program like that. However, giving deposit money or one month's rent to stave off eviction does not mean that they will sign on for full time support, paying the rent every month forever.

A government housing program or a bit of help from a church or charity is about the limit of it. Perhaps there is low income housing in Eugene. But if there is, there is most likely a waiting list to get into it.

If she happens to be moving with all her kids because she is a battered woman escaping from an abusive partner, she might try the battered woman's shelter and see if they have any suggestions. Their shelter is for emergencies and if your friend has moved away from her abuser, she is no longer in immediate danger. They won't take her in but they might have a list of places to call.

[patches403]

Tell your friend she needs to go live with her family until she can get a better handle on how she's going to be able to support her existing kids. It will take her quite awhile to get to a position in life where she can support herself and most social services exist only as short term emergency help, they are not the long term plan she needs. Family is probably the only long-term viable plan she has, unless she's willing to put her kids into foster care until she gets on her feet.

[northoceanbeach]

oh, thats bad. not a big safety net in this country.

i said above i would be willing to help. i will. but i can't do everything. sounds pretty grim.

im a member of an organized church, but i don't know what they would do for her, not being a member. the own 14 rentals but i think they are all taken. ill ask.

man, thats a bitter pill to swallow, i guess i just never see pregnant homeless people with little kids. are they really out there?

she lives here, she did briefly go away to try the family thing but its a no go so i am flying her back tomorrow.

[Rubi3]

Originally Posted by northoceanbeach

oh, thats bad. not a big safety net in this country.

i said above i would be willing to help. i will. but i can't do everything. sounds pretty grim.

im a member of an organized church, but i don't know what they would do for her, not being a member. the own 14 rentals but i think they are all taken. ill ask.

man, thats a bitter pill to swallow, i guess i just never see pregnant homeless people with little kids. are they really out there?

she lives here, she did briefly go away to try the family thing but its a no go so i am flying her back tomorrow.

Which country will support single, pregnant women with 2 children? You said you would be willing to help, but not financially. Financial help seems to be one of the main things she needs. Did you check out some of the suggestions that were made, or do you think someone else should do that? When you say she lives here, do you mean Hawaii?

[oregonwoodsmoke]

Originally Posted by northoceanbeach

.......i said above i would be willing to help......... i am flying her back tomorrow.

Then take her and her kids into your house with you. If her family won't take her and you are her only friend, no stranger is going to take her in. That leaves you.

You are flying her back to where? Hawaii or Oregon? Your header says you are located in Hawaii. If she is in Oregon and the father, or fathers, of her three kids are in Oregon, the state of Oregon will go after them for child support money. The state has some legal tricks to get that child support money and they can make it tough on deadbeat dads who try to avoid paying.

If you are not related to the homeless mother, and if she can get a Section 8 voucher, you can buy a house for her and take her Section 8 voucher for her rent. Section 8 won't pay relatives for housing, but if both you and she qualify, you can buy the house and Section 8 will pay you rent so you can make the mortgage payments. That way your friend will have place to live and you will have done something to help her.