SERIES:

WINTER

IS

COMING

(At left, Wanda enjoys some ice cream for her 81st birthday, 

with Laura Ruffing, 2016)

Column #51 - Part 1: WINTER IS COMING What would you do if you were suddenly homeless?  (10/2/2015)
PACIFIC GROVE City Councilman Rudy Fischer recently asked, “With winter coming, are homeless persons eligible for Section 8 housing?” I said, “Some are, but those who qualify for Section 8 housing can’t use their vouchers because most local landlords won’t take them.” HUD’s “Section 8” government-subsidized housing assistance program has changed its name but not its purpose. No applications were being taken for waiting lists, but that has also changed.  (CLICK TO CONTINUE READING...)
Column #52 - Part 2: WINTER IS COMING How do the newly homeless eat and sleep?   (10/9/2015) 
(THIS SERIES is based on Pacific Grove City Councilmember Rudy Fischer’s question with winter coming, are homeless persons eligible for Section 8 housing and if you were suddenly homeless, what would you do? We followed the Boy Scout motto “Be prepared” by letting experienced homeless lead the newcomers—or about to be first-timers—through basic homelessness.) First, don’t let homelessness overwhelm you with shame and embarrassment. Homelessness can happen to anyone. Second, these steps summarize last week’s longer composite advice to the newly homeless.   (CLICK TO CONTINUE READING...)
Column #53 - Part 3: WINTER IS COMING Maneuvering the newly homeless mental illness maze  (10/16/2015)
(THIS FOUR-PART series is based on Pacific Part Three Grove City Councilmember Rudy Fischer’s question With winter coming, are homeless persons eligible for Section 8 housing? It raised another question: If you were suddenly homeless, what would you do? We suggested following the Boy Scout motto “Be prepared” by letting the experienced homeless lead the newcomers—or about to be first-timers—to homelessness. That theme is continued this week.) To understand homelessness, a Unitarian Universalist minister moved to the streets for a week to be more compassionate to homeless women and men through empathy rather than just sympathy.  (CLICK TO CONTINUE READING...)
Column #54 - Part 4: WINTER IS COMING Newly homeless person’s guide to dumpster diving and dining (10/23/2015) 
(THIS FOUR-PART series is based on Pacific Grove City Councilmember Rudy Fischer’s question With winter coming, are homeless persons eligible for Section 8 housing? It raised another question: If you were suddenly homeless, what would you do? We suggested following the Boy Scout motto “Be prepared” by letting the experienced homeless lead the newcomers—or about to be first-timers—to homelessness. That theme is continued this week.) Imagine you lost your place of residence, and you followed all steps recommended in this series, but still find yourself without a new roof over your head or food to eat. While you wait for social services agencies to call back on your cell phone, night creeps up like chilly fog while you sit on a bus bench and try to figure what’s next.  (CLICK TO CONTINUE READING...)

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