Do You Have Any Complaints Regarding The HPRP Program?

Please list your complaints here regarding the HPRP Program.  I found a couple of websites that touch on problems surrounding this program.  I don’t understand why struggling families in need are experiencing these issues, isn’t this what the money is for — to HELP?

I am interested in hearing your complaints, especially in the Northern California area.  Please check out the following links.

HPRP Is It Working? Part III

http://cameogarrett.blogspot.com/2010/04/my-hprp-complaint.html

In The Pursuit of Housing

Once upon a time ago, the words, foreclosure, eviction and homeless were foreign for so many households.  Homelessness has always been a growing problem in the United States, however in the past few years the numbers increased drastically.  In 2007 a friend of mine lost multiple properties, including his own home.  He and his son had to downsize from a spacious 4 bedroom house into a tiny 2 bedroom apartment.  I asked my friend what happened, he told me he was no longer working and that most of his tenants were no longer able to pay their rent because of job loss and other issues.  One tenant moved out on him in the middle of the night, he had no idea she had left; he was unable to maintain the mortgage on the properties and his home.

Stories surrounding foreclosure, eviction and homelessness were pretty scarce and didn’t draw national attention.  I re-call seeing a couple of news reports on families that had lost their homes, but that was pretty much it.  However, the following year I saw a news report on a couple that had been long term Oakland, CA residents.  The coupled appeared to be in their mid to late 60’s, they were arrested for going back into their home after it had been foreclosed on, they had no money and no place to go; this is when I really began to pay attention to the housing situation and I soon learned something was terribly wrong.

I was laid off at the end of October 2008.  I began to have my own financial woes; then my attention was directed to yet another disturbing news report.  It was around February 2009, Sacramento, CA homeless residents set up what was later named “Tent City”.  I could not believe my eyes; hundreds of homeless families made this place their home. The unique thing about Tent City, it was not filled with the chronically homeless, it consisted of families and individuals that had recently become homeless due to job loss.

Several months later, I was hit with the very thing that question the existence of human life; homelessness.  I no longer had to watch a news report to hear the jaw dropping news; I was my very own CNN News Report.  Never in my life, would I have imagined such a thing to happen to “ME”.  I was once the Woman who had everything; my friends use to borrow clothes and shoes from me.  I was hurt, angry and ashamed.  I was just like everyone else, I had exhausted all of my savings, I could not find a job, I was even told by several employers that I was “over qualified”.  The unemployment checks were not consistent, nor was it enough to cover all of the bills.  If it wasn’t for my daycare provider allowing my 3 children and I to move in with her for two months, I don’t know where we would have ended up; she was gracious enough to allow me to rent 2 of her 8 bedrooms.  It’s a scary feeling when faced with not having a safe, secure place to live.  I use to think so many other things were important, but nothing is more important than having adequate/affordable housing for yourself and your family.

1 year later, believe it or not, I am faced with yet the same issue again; this time we have no place to go.  I can’t find suitable, full-time employment and I no longer have a savings to pull from, that dwindled away 12 months ago.  Working part-time does not cover bills and daycare expenses.  My friend/former daycare provider is in the process of losing her second home; the first one foreclosed and was taken back by the bank several months ago.  She doesn’t know what’s going to happen to her home or her once thriving daycare business.  Being homeless has almost become a lifestyle; people are living in their cars, trucks and vans.  They’re sleeping in tents and moving from one flea bag motel to the next.

I have made phone calls and sent countless emails.  I can’t get Congress, The President or even Oprah to listen to my story.  Once again, this struggling, single mother is In The Pursuit of Housing.

9/22/10 – UPDATE: Are YOU In Need Of Housing???

I am very passionate when it comes to families, especially struggling single Mother’s having everything that they need, want and desire, particularly when it comes to housing.  At the end of the day, EVERYONE should have a stable, secure, safe place to live.  I pray with all of my heart that this information is helpful to you or someone you know!  Please re-post!!!

With everything that has transpired with the housing market crash, jobs and UNEMPLOYMENT, a number of families/individuals have become homeless or are on the verge of becoming homeless.  I have read many hurtful and disturbing posts.  Personally, I don’t know how millionaire’s sleep at night; if I was one, I’d be broke from trying to help families in distress.  I would do everything in my power to END the fight against hunger and homelessness.

I have searched online for apartment rentals, and during my search I’ve seen ads that said “No Bankruptcies within the last 3 years, No evictions, No Felonies, Must have good credit” (my God who has any good credit left these days).  So…I thought to myself, there has to be a program(s) out there to help the people who fall into these categories.  Bad things happen to Good people, I’m a living witness to that.

I was on Craigslist in the apartment section, I typed in “evictions”, not much came up.  I then typed in “2nd chance” BINGO!!! It was like hitting the lottery!!!  I saw one ad after another, there are a number of properties that participate in what’s known as the 2nd Chance Rental Program.  If you have a broken lease, eviction, bankruptcy, bad credit and even a felony – NO VIOLENT CRIMES, there are apartment complexes out there willing to work with you!  Of course they will need pertinent information from you.

I have found this program in the following states, listed under the following search terms.

Sacramento, CA – 2nd Chance; Texas – 2nd Chance;  Georgia – no credit check; Illinois – no credit check & 2nd chance; Michigan – no credit check and pre-pay for an entire year.  (Pre-paying rent for an entire year in my opinion is an excellent option if you have the money).

There may very well be other states offering the 2nd chance program or something similar, please go online and do your research.  Craigslist – Housing – Apartments/Housing.

If there is indeed a Tier 5 Unemployment extension, at least you know that you and your family will have 20 weeks of housing, you don’t have to worry about sleeping in a vehicle or staying in a motel.  *Some of the apartment complexes are offering move-in specials and free rent.  This in my opinion is definitely a 2nd chance!  Be sure to reach out to your local agencies/churches for rental deposit assistance.  Some agencies will help with the deposit and first month’s rent.  Combine that with a rental special (i.e. – 1/2 off first month’s rent or 30 days free rent) you can finally start to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

In the Dallas, TX area there is a home buyer program, the requirements are as follows:

580 FICO score, Earn $4000 per month combined income, $500 down and you qualify for a brand new home!

Please stay strong, positive and encouraged!  Keep fighting the good fight of faith.  Continue to reach out for assistance (rent, utilities, clothes, shoes, food, furniture items, Christmas toys for the children – help is out there) get into an educational training program, continue to apply for jobs EVERYDAY — your prayers will be answered!

~SolitaryParent

9/22/10 – UPDATE:  I wanted to post an actual 2nd chance leasing ad for you to see with your own eyes…there is hope out there, we just have to create it for ourselves.  Rent a 1-bedroom, save money until you get back on your feet financially.

$445 / 1br – 2ND-SECOND CHANCE LEASING! BAD CREDIT OK! (N DALLAS/ALL AREAS DFW)

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Date: 2010-09-09, 5:46PM CDT
Reply to: hous-ed4st-1945549705@craigslist.org ^{[Errors when replying to ads?]}

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CALL 214-514-2537 FOR FURTHER ASSISTANCE…DUE TO HIGH DEMAND, IF UNAVAILABLE PLEASE LEAVE A MESSAGE FOR A RETURNED PHONE CALL…

OR RESPOND TO AD WITH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:

NAME:
WHERE YOU ARE LOOKING TO MOVE:
MOVE DATE:
CREDIT ISSUES:
PHONE #:
OTHER:

SECOND CHANCE, 2ND CHANCE, BROKEN LEASES, DEBT, EVICTIONS, BANKRUPTCIES, BANKRUPTCY, FORECLOSURE, LARGE DOGS-OK!