Just another day in the life of a lazy user
A note from what republicans think is the lap of luxury:
For the sake of clarity, I receive housing assistance. That makes me, in GOPspeak, a lazy user, living in ungrateful splendor at taxpayer expense. Period. No thought of what brought me to this circumstance, it does not matter, end of discussion.
Anyway, I woke up this morning to an eviction notice taped on my door. Several pages long, it thoughtfully includes an application for help in staving off eviction due to Covid rules. So, of course I went into immediate panic mode, hands shaking, cranking up the oxygen, have to sit down, the whole bit.
Once I calmed down I called the housing authority, a local office notorious for its obnoxiously long recorded answer that lists extension numbers. Punching the needed number it directed my call to another recording that went on for over five minutes before inviting me to leave a brief message, advising that they would get back to me as soon as they could (which, if history is any indicator) usually takes at least a week.
Then I had to dig around online to find a phone number for the management company that recently took over the property. To my surprise, a live person answered, ostensibly the new manager. I introduced myself and explained the reason for my call, telling her that I had paid my portion electronically as soon as my Social Security check arrived in my account, that I had the receipt for that payment. After a pause she asked, “Oh, are you a housing client?” (not a good sign that she didn’t know that, there are a lot of us here). When I answered in the affirmative, she said that the housing office was probably still paying their share to the previous management company and that she’d give housing a call to get them to redirect the payments. I told her that phone calls generally don’t work, their telephone system is unreliable, and suggested that she go to that office in person in order to get anything done. She said she wasn’t aware of any of that (which tells me she and her bosses didn’t put in much effort in corresponding with that office); she said she’d probably take my advice and drive the few blocks to the housing authority office to straighten out the mess.
She did apologize, though, and told me not to worry, to go ahead and tear up the eviction notice. Nuh uh. I’ve dealt with county offices too long, I don’t destroy any documentary communication unless or until I have confirmed status in hand.
So, now I wait to hear if or when the new company gets paid by the old housing office. Meanwhile, as I sprawl in presumptive luxury, I wonder where is that pool boy with my frozen drink?
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= new reply since forum marked as read
I've lived in my current place for almost 10 years. In that time I've been through numerous owners, management companies and property managers. ALL of them were left in a lurch by the previous people in charge. I sometimes wonder if the departing people do it deliberately.
I'm glad you are getting it worked out. Definitely keep the eviction letter. Stay frosty. 