What a load of bull: BC Rental assistance

[RedString]

So I called the BC rental assistance office, figured "we need help with rent, they must be the ones to call."

The website says to be eligible you need to have at least one child. As of this moment, I don't actually have any children, just my fetus baby. apparently this isn't good enough. We can't even apply until the child is born. That's another month away, and by then, we'll be homeless! And then I won't have a child, because I won't have a home, and the hospital might not let me take him with me when I get discharged!!

They say its because we don't have a "dependant" child. Well, seeing as he's absorbing all the nutrients I ingest, I'd say he's pretty damn dependant! But no, if I'm homeless, it's REALLY not going to effect him at ALL. Though I suppose I'll be able to afford food, so at least he won't starve. =\

I'm just so pissed off. I told the guy our situation and he's just like "...you cna't apply for rental assistance until you meet the criteria." I wanna bash him over the head with a ten pound eight ball!

...sorry. I just needed a good whine. I have no idea what we're going to do now. So much for compassion being a human trait.

 

[Sarahkka]

My mum is a social worker for the ministry in BC. Would you like me to ask her for advice for you? She's not on the coast, but maybe she knows of something that might help?
Sounds like you are in a bureaucratic nightmare.

 

[RedString]

That would be fantastic. We were going to go to the BC employment and income assistnce today, but we got the wrong building and ended up at Service Canada, and by the time we got there now, they'd likely be closed, or we'd be told to come back tomorrow anyway. so of course, i'm opting to save the extra trip and just go tomorrow. (huzzah for being pregnant, and lazy! )

So. Thank you thank you thank yoouuuu... in advance.

 

[Sarahkka]

Okay, talked to my mum and my brother (articling lawyer who worked at an advocacy centre). They both said that your best bet is to get yourself to a low income housing authority as soon as possible. Those agencies should have lots of other similar contacts for you. The fact that you are third trimester, due very soon, and will definitely be homeless, should help prioritize you. I googled low income housing vancouver and this was the first website. I think they might be a good bet.
https://www.vhausa.com/get.html
Mum also said to try some women's centres. They are strong advocates for women in your situation. To be honest, the complicating factor here is that you're not single. The fact that you have a partner doing his best to support you seems to be working against you, as ridiculous as that sounds.
Anyway, try the housing societies and emphasize how close you are to delivery. That should light a fire under someone's ass somewhere!
My brother said that he would try making some inquiries tomorrow, so I may have something more for you.
I hope this helps even a little bit and it's not some dead end that you've already tried.
Take care!

 

[RedString]

Actually, I don't think I've ever come across this website before. Figures, google is more helpful than the government website,

It's true though, the fact that I have a partner, a MALE partner, trying as hard as he can to support me is the fact that's killing us right now. It wouldn't be such a problem if I were a lesbian. They have shelters for homeless lesbians with children. =\

Thank you so much for your help. I started typing this and started crying from all the stress. Really, thank you so, so much.

*edit* Just looked more into the website, and that particular one is for Vancouver, Washington. oh well. There's bound to be something out there.

 

[Sarahkka]

Actually, I don't think I've ever come across this website before. Figures, google is more helpful than the government website,

It's true though, the fact that I have a partner, a MALE partner, trying as hard as he can to support me is the fact that's killing us right now. It wouldn't be such a problem if I were a lesbian. They have shelters for homeless lesbians with children. =\

Thank you so much for your help. I started typing this and started crying from all the stress. Really, thank you so, so much.

*edit* Just looked more into the website, and that particular one is for Vancouver, Washington. oh well. There's bound to be something out there.

Oh my god, are you serious? I'm so sorry. I just grabbed it. I didn't look closely enough. But at least it's an idea to follow up on? You poor poor thing. I wish there was more Icould do. Maybe my brother will have something amazing tomorrow? Let's hope so, and meanwhile, don't downplay your situation. If you have to do an Oscar-worthy scream-fest about giving birth on the floor in the next ten minutes if someone doesn't at least give you a room, you do it!

 

[RedString]

Yeah... I followed your example though, and did a google search. I may have found something helpful. I'll be making a lot of phone calls tomorrow; hopefully one of them will bring me some good news,

 

[RedString]

k, so i emailed metrovancouver housing center last night, and this is the email i got back when i woke up this afternoon:

Thank you for your enquiry. In order to apply with Metro Vancouver you need to fill out an application form which I have attached to this e-mail. I would recommend that you visit our site at www.metrovancouver.org and more specifically view our list of buildings at https://www.metrovancouver.org/services/housing/Pages/facilities.aspx to add to the preferences section on the application form.

Please be advised that Metro Vancouver houses on a first come first serve basis and as such we will be unable to house you within the next two weeks. Once you have applied for housing you will be added to the BC Housing central registry and when a vacancy becomes available we will contact you. I recommend that you contact us or BC Housing approximately every two months to keep your file up to date. It is also important that you notify us immediately if you move, change your phone number, or have a change in your household income or composition.

I trust you will find the above in order and should you have any further queries please do not hesitate to contact me.

Kind regards,
[receptionist]

I just wanna scream "BABY! HELP!" And they wonder why so many children in BC live in poverty? Bunch of fucking monkeys, i tell you.

How the hell do they plan on contacting us once we have no place to live? We're going to have to spend our meager little savings (which, ironically, we were saving for a new apartment) on getting residency at a hotel or something, and then by the time they CAN find a place for us, we're not going to be able to afford it, cuz we'll have to start saving ALL over again, and we'll be paying rent at a stupid hotel, so it'll take longer.

 

[RedString]

Okay, they probably won't be able to house us by July; But, they have an ad on craigslist... no wait, they have Two..? no, Three. THREE fucking ads on craigslist, advertising vacancies. But they can't house us by July. bunch of fucking monkeys!

((the links go to each ad, as I found them.))

 

[Tiff]

Jeez, I hope it works out for you. I'm at a piss poor attitude with the government myself.

They suspended my Mat Leave pay because I got a severance payment because I was laid off. Because some idiot didn't do the paperwork past the "maternity leave payment window of 16 weeks" they put my claim in the "work queue" and it's been 21 days and they still haven't figured sweet fuck all out. I've been without money coming in since the 9th of Feburary and no one gives a crap.

They're all a bunch of scum, IMO.

 

[RedString]

Jeez, I hope it works out for you. I'm at a piss poor attitude with the government myself.

They suspended my Mat Leave pay because I got a severance payment because I was laid off. Because some idiot didn't do the paperwork past the "maternity leave payment window of 16 weeks" they put my claim in the "work queue" and it's been 21 days and they still haven't figured sweet fuck all out. I've been without money coming in since the 9th of Feburary and no one gives a crap.

They're all a bunch of scum, IMO.

ZOMG I know what you mean!! I lost my last apartment because I didn't get my EI for three months. If it weren't for my income tax, and my OH's income tax, we would have been homeless a lot sooner, I'm so fed up with the stupid government and feeling like I have to rely on them. It's kind of weird, but I can't WAIT to start working again, just so I don't have to deal with this bullsh*t anymore.

hope your Mat leave comes in soon. Maybe call them and harass them a bit? that seemed to light a fire under their ass for me, when i was waiting for EI.

 

[Tiff]

It's a a clustercrap of misinformation. Right before I got my severance package I was told by two different people from Service Canada that my benefits would suspend for 15 weeks (the amount of my payout) but my ML claim would extend for the 15 weeks as well. Now I find out that's a load of BS as well, and NOW they tell me that I can't apply for EI once my ML is over because I won't have worked in the past 52 weeks, regardless that I've been at home with my baby!

I am so dissapointed in everything. They say by June 25th they were supposed to have made a 'decsion' although what they need to decide is beyond me. If I haven't gotten anything by then I am going down to the nearest Service Canada and pitching the largest fit anyone has ever seen! I won't leave until I have spoken to managers. It's downright ridiculous how this system works!

 

[RedString]

Good for you!! That's how you do it. PItch a fit until they can't ignore you any longer!!

Speaking of pitching fits, I continued my craigslist browsing, and found a total of 5 ads for buildings in the Coquitlam/Poco/Burnaby area, under the MetroVancouver Housing Center's jurisdiction. I am pissed. I sent an email to their receptionist, with links to each ad and asked why they had ads up on craisglist, when they couldnt possibly house a struggling family that was facing homelessness at the end of the month. Probably won't hear back until tomorrow (it's 7:51 here right now) but when I do I'll keep you ladies posted.

thanks for all the support, you guys have really kept me going.