Pot of Problems

Mom always said, "If we all threw our problems into one big pot, we'd reach in and take back our own."

I received an unexpected call from a woman I've met through volunteering for the Craterian performance theater in Medford, I'll call her Mary.  We bar-tended together, but since Covid the refreshment center's been closed so now we're just bored Ushers.  I wish people would at the very least mask-up, so I can go back to having some fun.

I wasn't really in the mood to talk (too busy feeling sorry for myself) but I reminded myself how important it is to concentrate on other's words, so I listened to Mary.

Mary has her own Housing voucher, and is much more savvy about the process than me.  She said Yes, a portion of the electricity is included in their screwy totals.  If it's higher, does (Housing) pay more?  No.

Years ago she got in to her apartment by the skin of her teeth, Mary told me; but now the landlord's raising the rent again.  Landlords have not been allowed to raise rents for Section 8 tenants during 2021 and much of 2020; but like the foreclosure moratorium, that ends on Dec 31st.  Oregon is the only state which caps annual rent increases, and for 2022 it's 9.9%.

Does Housing help with that?  No, no more than the piddly amount they increase due to any cost of living adjustments.  (FYI, I was right about my Food-stamps being reduced because of this month's 5.9% Social Security increase; I received the letter last week.  They do it every time; but during Covid, the government's been giving us all our maximum monthly allowable amounts, thank God.)

Any way you look at it, with the inflation rate only increasing, we're all losing money.  Then shouldn't we ALL be trying to help one another rather than taking advantage of the situation?  Cut your profit margins so you don't make things worse; or don't pay anyone higher than your CEO, they can stand a bit more suffering than the rest of us right now, wouldn't you agree?  At least skip year-end bonuses of more than five digits, including cents.  No one's saying Forever; just until things balance out.

Lumber's been a perfect example of roller-coaster costs, estimated to add an average $33,000+ to new homes when prices peaked; they went down but are going up again.  Good luck trying to build affordable housing.

"I need help (with the increased rent)," Mary said.  "Where am I going to find an apartment around here for $875?"  Nowhere, my unsaid response, I know from experience.  At least I've still got my RV.

I was surprised to learn that while Mary's income is $1,500 a month, her most recent housing allowance (for a one-bedroom in Medford) is only $875.  My  income's about $1,000 yet my housing allowance is $985.  That doesn't make sense.

It does when you consider her monthly medical expenses average $600 a month, so I guess that's deducted.  You get Foodstamps and your income comes from SSI and Disability, no side job; why aren't you on Oregon's Health Plan like me?  Mary answered, I make $40 too much to qualify.

You've got to be kidding.  Why can't Uncle Sam give her just a little bit LESS in order for her to qualify for help?  Why was I rejected for being 60 bucks short?

It's the rules, and there doesn't seem to be anyone to appeal to.  Mary claims her issues with our local Housing Office has cost her money, I believe that.  Can't go in to see anyone because of Covid, and they don't answer their phones, I knew already.  She asked which supervisor I'd been sparring with and when I mentioned the name declared, "She's a bitch!" Boy, did I feet better.

By the time we finished speaking we both felt better, and Mary felt up for tackling the 6" of medical records she needed to wade through to apply for yet another program.

And I thought I had problems.

P.S.  For the final chapter of the Hungry Games:  Out of Time