Housing Update April 13 2017

HOUSING

By the grace of God my voucher was extended for another month today.

I learned some important details today.

The number listed for a 1 bedroom apartment in the 400 zip codes  is for both the rent and utilities. I had assumed it was just for rent. The clerk there said that the average total utility bills that they pay for a 1 bedroom apartment is about 120 dollars. That means the many fewer apartment complexes are in my range. And when the electric bill goes up in the summer due to air conditioning, then that is on me.

I have no idea how thousands of people have found a place to live using a voucher within these limits.

On the bus route to the housing authority office I saw yet more apartment construction. It was in a heavily industrial area west of downtown Dallas. It is not an appealing neighborhood. But it is proof of the massive demand for housing currently.

I was told that I could transfer the voucher to anywhere else in the USA if I gave them notice before it expired. I mentioned that because if 1500 people move to Dallas daily, then they leave behind many vacancies somewhere.

This voucher could also apply to rent houses and condos if they meet the right criteria.

I asked if they had a listing of the complexes in DFW that they work with that are oriented to serve senior citizens. They said they cannot provide that list because they do not want steer me. I said please steer me.

On Friday I complete the preparations for my sermon on Saturday. And I file my 1040EZ taxes. Pray for these to unfold gracefully.

Next week my plan is to diligently search for apartment complexes within my range including those away from the DART trains that I has avoided before.

For those who receive this both local and out of state please pray and ask around about rent houses or garage apartments that would be willing to be inspected and fall under the ceiling for that zip code. Those are long shots but I do not want to leave any stone unturned.

A member of my church offered to hold me accountable as I follow up my plans to email as many apartment complexes in DFW that are prospects. From those actions I hope to have some appealing prospects. Then I will go to see them in person.

There have been lots of prayers for this already and I am grateful for each prayer. It is my hope that God will not leave or forsake me as I continue on the quest.

Like I have requested before, please pray for God to guide and provide.

DENTAL

I canceled the dental surgery for April 17. I will reset it when we come to an agreement on what is owed. In round numbers one invoice says 1500 and the other with the discounts says 500.

I am not willing to ask for people to support me financially for these implants until I know I have all the discounts that I qualify for. Please pray for to be resolved soon.

PHONE

A gracious family has offered to give me a phone.

It has been strange to not have one. I do not make many calls or texts. But those few are essential. I used a pay phone today for the first time in years.

Mostly I used my cell phone for podcasts and alarms and as a clock.

Podcasts educate and inspire me as I am walking and waiting. They keep my mind occupied in a constructive way. That prevents depressing thought patterns.

I use several alarms repeatedly throughout the week and I use special alarms to remind me of special events.

I am old enough to remember wearing a wrist watch. But my cellphone took the place of that. And with a dead cell phone I recognize that besides the clock on my computer plus at the library there are very few to be seen in my daily life.

Shalom

John