Some Advice Please

[bakpakr]

OK here is my situation.

I am about to become homeless. I currently have a job but do not make enough to pay for rent and utilities. I am working to get a better job.

My current place of residence I only have to pay rent no utilities. The owners of the property have informed me that they plan on walking away from the mortgage (abandoning the property). They are just stopping paying the mortgage and renting an apartment of their own.

I am a vet and have contacted the VA. The VA has programs that I can enter but they will force me to move away from my family and force me to quit my job. Also I must abandon most of my personal possessions. Staying with family is not an option due to their living arrangement's. I have explored that avenue. I really don't want to do either BUT if need be will. I am just looking for other options. The homeless programs in my locality are full and thus not an option. HUD here has a two year waiting list.

The VA does have a program that would be the perfect fit for me. I inquired about that program during my meeting with the VA. The program is called HUD-VASH. It is basically a voucher system where they will pay a portion of the rent on an apartment based on my income and also work with me on getting a better paying job. But I was told that that program is for the chronically homeless.

Any and all advice is greatly appreciated.

[Berlum]

1. Occupy

Home.

For the time being.

[demwing]

2. so many questions

In which state do you live?
Do you have a written lease?
If so, is the lease month to month?

All is not lost. I rent,and just survived a landlord foreclosure. You need the advice of a lawyer who knows your state. Free legal help is out there...I'all try to find you a link

[bakpakr]

3. More info

I live in PA.

No written lease. Pay month to month on a handshake. Was a family friend.

Yesterday they changed all the locks. I asked for a key and was refused. They informed me I have to be out by the end of the month. After they move they are locking the doors and walking away.

There is nothing on paper on my end.

[Sedona]

4. This is illegal! DON'T LEAVE!

If they lock you out call the police. Make them evict you legally. Call the local legal aid. Get in a court room quick. You have at LEAST 90 days to vacate the property by law. Just because they just now stopped paying the mortgage doesn't mean the bank will repossess right away. It could take a year or more.

Even then you have up to 90 days to get out. This is the law, it's on your side. Written lease or no lease.

I am a licensed Realtor/Property Manager currently studying for my Broker's License. I know of what I speak.

Some doesn't smell right.

http://www.heraca.org/downloads/Tenants_Rights_in_Foreclosed_On_Properties_may09_EN.pdf

[riderinthestorm]

5. Why not just stay? Its shelter at least.

And once they "leave", its free shelter. If they lock the doors, no biggie, simply break in.

Occupy!

You can go the legal route and try to get it enforced that you have a certain # of months that you are legally entitled to stay there (they haven't given you enough notice to vacate) but you said these are family friends. Why put them through a legal battle?

Heat, water and electricity will be a challenge but you have some time to work those out before they depart so you have a plan in place.

Good luck!

[OneGrassRoot]

7. Please listen to Sedona...

he/she has good info here.

Can you message me to tell me where in PA you are, if you don't want to say here?

I'm so sorry this is happening.

[Whovian]

6. Look at some low rent motels with weekly rates

until you can find something else. Check craigs list and classifieds for rooms for rent... None of these are great things but they might help you get over the hump. Best of luck.

[alphafemale]

20. this

You should look on Craigslist. Under shared housing. Good luck.

[Barack_America]

8. Check craigslist for a roommate or sublet?

So sorry this is happening to you. I second the suggestions above to question the legality of your landlord's actions.

[demwing]

9. Ask A Lawyer website

http://www.lawyers.com/ask-a-lawyer/Ask-a-Question.html

[bakpakr]

10. More

To be totally honest the owners are actually my parents. I said family friends due to embarrassment, sorry.

They have all the utilities set to be disconnected on Dec. 31. I know this for a fact because I witnessed the calls to the utilities.

I on my own today called the utilities to have them hooked up in my name. I was informed by the electric company that in order to have them connected I would have to pay the unpaid balance which is $1700. I informed them that I did not incur this bill and that my parents are responsible for the bill. I was informed that because the bill is tied to the home it has to be cleared prior to them turning the electric back on.

Also the gas, water are at excessive amounts due to my parents not paying the bills.

I did not realize this was happening. What they have been doing is getting the doctor to sign a form stating that due to my mothers medical condition that she needs to have the utilities remain on for her health. Thus basically they were getting the utilities for free. How they got them turned on in their new apartment was probably by the same route.

I have also looked at the motel idea. There are two here and both at full.

I have been hammering craigslist for room mate options. There are many listed but due to me not owning a car and having to walk everywhere they are not an option. They are all in locations outside my town. Public transportation sux here.

I know it is not legal what they are doing. But I am not there yet in taking legal action. They are after-all my parents. I know I can hear you now.

[OneGrassRoot]

11. Geez, I am so sorry....

The fact that it's your parents adds to the tragedy of your situation.

I'm going to see if I know anyone in your area. It sounds like you're on top of things and have checked everything there is to check as far as options.

Still, DUers are brilliant, and someone may come up with another option that never crossed our minds.

Again, I am truly sorry you're going through this. It's not right...on any level. You deserve better.

[OneGrassRoot]

12. Also, I agree with contacting your local Occupy...(edited)

most of these Occupy groups, as we're seeing in the aftermath of Sandy, have people in their midst who know the ins and outs of each area and how to be of service to one another, especially during crisis.

If you're not able to try to reach them, let me know and I'll work to do so on your behalf:

Occupy Harrisburg | Contact Us

Inquiries: 717-315-5432 | [e-mail]


Edit to add that I just sent an email about this situation. Will try to call later if you aren't able to.

[OneGrassRoot]

13. Sorry to be a pest...please check your private messages here...

I need more info and have some contacts who may be able to help.

[WhoIsNumberNone]

15. Utility companies are bastards

I had a similar experience back in the 80s- I moved into a house with some other guys who were already living there. A week after i moved in our phone was turned off. Seems the guy who moved out (whose name the phone was in) ran up a huge long distance bill before he left. We made several attempts to get it turned back on, but the phone company wasn't interested that the guy who owed them the money no longer lived there. It wasn't getting turned back on until the old bill was paid.

I don't know if this will be any help to you, but it's worth repeating just in case; Back in the 90s some friends of mine found themselves facing homelessness. They managed to get a de-commissioned school bus that had been converted into a camper by some old hippies and started living at campgrounds. The campgrounds would only let them stay a week at a time, but there were several in the area, so they could move from one to the next. They weren't free, but it was cheaper than renting, and they had showers and electrical hookups.

Good luck.

[bakpakr]

16. Oh yea

Yes I have seriously looked at the camper route. Let me say right now that would be the PERFECT solution. Cheap to live in and also if it is an RV and not a trailer it is transportation too. But alas I do not have the funds to purchase one. I would love to buy one though if I could afford it.

[WhoIsNumberNone]

18. Definitely look into old school busses then

They probably aren't replaced as often as they used to be, but when you can find them they are usually being sold off cheap.

http://www.nationalbus.com/Buses_For_Sale_Pennsylvania/New_Used_School_Bus_Sales_Pennsylvania.aspx

http://www.qualitybusservice.com/usedbuses?gclid=CKaFxrTjk7QCFZGiPAod6TkA6w

http://www.publicsurplus.com/sms/browse/cataucs?catid=402

[LoveMyCali]

17. Is there any possibility of riding with someone you work with

if you were able to get one of the rooms for rent. Maybe just chipping in a little for gas, for that matter I have just given rides to people I work with many times because I remember what it was like before I had a car of my own and had to depend on others.

[bakpakr]

19. Not an option

You see I work solo. I am the only one at my job. I work Home health. I wish that were an option.

[bakpakr]

14. Started a Blog

I started a blog to document my decent into homelessness. You can follow along here; http://homelessvarmyvet.blogspot.com/