Women's housing in Sacramento for those with low income & disabilities? (San Jose: section 8, to rent)

[ecsdude]

I would like to help someone who is having trouble finding a new place to rent due to low income and a disability. She receives monthly checks for about $900 and can pay around $400-$450/mo. I've looked into some options like YWCA housing for women, and it falls within her budget but there is a wait list.

Just wondering if there are similar housing options for folks like her that don't have such wait lists that could take years to get to the top of?

[NoMoreSnowForMe]

First, I just want to be sure that you don't get yourself enmeshed with a needy person beyond normal boundaries. There are lots of needy people out there who are looking for someone to take care of them or involve them in drama, and who are not really ready to take any responsibility for their own problems.

That said, it's about looking for affordable housing they will qualify for. If it's not in Sacramento, they may find it in Elk Grove, or as far as Redding or Crescent City.

Finding affordable housing can be a full-time job. I did it, but I had to move from the SF Bay Area first to Redding, CA, then to Crescent City CA (which I could have moved to in the first place, had I known), and then eventually porting a Section 8 voucher back to San Jose. This process took a lot of time, filling out applications, making phone calls, and moving out of the area I wanted to live for 3 1/2 years, before I got a Section 8 voucher and eventually ported it back to San Jose.

So, I guess what I'm saying is, are you sure you want to take on this person's problems? Are they the type to fill out tons of applications and keep at it day after day, for years, until they finally get affordable housing? And are they willing to move far away from where they really want to live until they can move back, even if it takes several years?

Or do they just want to move onto your couch and eat your groceries for the rest of their lives, while pretending they're trying?

In my experience trying to teach people how to do what I have done - my bet is the last sentence. They want you to take care of them, and they'll fake that they're trying as long as they can get away with it. Then, they'll look for the next sucker to "help" them find affordable housing, which is really that person's own housing.

Good on you for having a good heart, but what you probably need here are solid boundaries. Sorry, can't let you stay with me, but here's a print out of places you can call. Don't let them move in. You'll just have to kick them out. And it will s*ck.

[ecsdude]

Thanks for the reply. I don't want to take on anyone else's problems. Just thought if there was some unconsidered resource I could point to, I could at least do that. I found a YWCA women's housing bu t there's a wait list. And the person doesn't want to really go out of town, so that limits their options. I figured a few inquiries wouldn't hurt, but that's about it.