All I Want For Christmas Is Affordable Housing, Health Insurance and A Living Wage

Christmas wishes during the Covid crisis

Dear Santa,

All I want for Christmas is:

1. A safe, affordable house or apartment preferably on a first floor or handicap accessible
2. Affordable health insurance and medications
3. Another part-time job with a living wage or full-time, remote job or contract that won’t put me at risk and is kind to people with disabilities

And a little help with my student loans if you’re being really generous.

Ho Ho Housing Crisis

The church that owns the community house I’ve worked and lived in has asked us to be out by the end of the month in anticipation of a January 7 closing. When I told them that my place wouldn’t be ready until mid January — they said I should go live with friends and I might be able to put my things in the church, but they wouldn’t be secure. They also suggested that I put an add on a Facebook group to “house-sit”…

This holiday season millions of people like me are facing housing insecurity for several reasons, but mainly financial. I was laid-off twice in the last 2 years and although I finally landed a small contract and have some hopeful job prospects — landlords want stable work/income history and millions of people don’t have that anymore.

I’m blessed to have a little savings, because my unemployment stalled in August and I gave up on calling and sending emails.

I found this place and made a deposit after calling and emailing countless places. I’ve paid close to $100 in application fees, and put over 400 miles on my car traveling to two states to see places and I’ve seen everything from mouse traps to black mold and I’ve been redlined and called a girl twice — even though I’m darn near 50…Yet, I’m grateful under the circumstances.

The place is way over budget and not in the best neighborhood, but it’s the only place I could find in less than 3 months, under $1,100 in the Philadelphia tri-state area. Unfortunately, the bathroom has major damage and won’t be ready until mid to late January due to holidays and Covid-related staff shortage.

So — I’m still in limbo because I haven’t signed the lease, yet. The beginning of September we found out that the church was selling the house due to Covid related financial issues. We, includes myself, an elderly, cancer patient and an urban farmer who works for a nonprofit. We’ve been looking for places to stay, but it’s hard to find affordable housing. My back up plan was my friend’s house, but that they’ve had major water damage to their home and their children moved back home.

Not so sweet season for pre-existing conditions

I’ve been using my nest egg to pay for my insurance and expensive medication copays. I have a very expensive chronic illness with medications that cost over $900 and a pending operation on my ankle with limits my mobility.

Extra dough under the mistletoe

I like a lot of people had to pivot and find alternative forms of income so I started my consulting business after my first lay-off and then Covid hit and I applied for every loan, but I was denied because I’m a start-up. Finally, after 6 months I landed a client and it’s great, but — I need more income, a bridge loan/grant or an investor to help me build my business.

The extra special Christmas wish

Again, like millions of Americans I have massive student loan and tuition debt that’s accruing interest that’s negatively effecting my credit and a barrier to me completing and continuing my education.

Today is Friday, December 11, 2020. I’ve been up since 3:00 working and looking for jobs, and writing this piece.

Christmas reality check

The truth is: working class and poor Black and brown people spend way too much time, energy and facing astronomical and unnecessary obstacles due to bias and racism to access and maintain basic needs like housing, health insurance and employment.

For the last year I’ve been working trying to build my business working with local SBA’s, getting coached and following up potential funding sources with little success. I even supported other small businesses and paid over $2000 in professional services to help me build my brand and find funding and a building — all to fall short. I could have used those funds to move or for rent.

I’ve received some great advice, but I don’t have the resources, access or the look to get VC’s to give me millions based on a good vibe and potential like the guy from WeWork. So, I used my sleepless nights and writing skills to voice my concerns, bring awareness and advocate for myself and others by writing all of these issues on Medium.

I worked hard the last 5 years to build my credit, pay off debts and actually qualified for a home loan, but thanks to USPS becoming a political pawn, I receive my approval letter a month late. The bank wasn’t answering calls and the amount was so low and it wouldn’t pay for repairs. Every time I’d try to submit an offer, someone would make a cash offer and snatch up the property. Just like the house I’m in now…

The market is great for rich people who want to gobble up destressed properties. Ironically, if I found a house — my mortgage would have been half the market rent and I could afford it and live comfortably.

Again, I’m blessed — I have a home for the next few months, a little money to move, and a client. I’m smart, ambitious and have faith things will work out — but at my age survival isn’t satisfying or fun anymore. I want to live a full life without toxic, poverty stress.

I don’t live an extravagant life or want one — but I do want to live somewhere that I don’t need to schedule all my trips before it gets dark, and have enough income to pay all my bills and medical expenses. I want the luxury and privilege of having a better quality of life through good, healthy food and drug-free, supplemental health practices to help relief my painful and debilitating symptoms.

Is it too much to ask to live and die in America with dignity and not have to scratch, scream and beg for bare necessities?

This is my Christmas wish — but it’s a need right now me and millions more.

Happy Holidays!