The
Nickel Down
and
Dollar a Week
Retirement Plan

Other doctors and specialists come here regularly to "educate me" in their fields of expertise. At least five free and hot meals are brought in for me each week. And then, there are some "specials" that aren't planned for.

Called low income housing, this is a government funded program (available under HUD auspices in virtually every county or parish in the United States) and the rules are kind of like Saran Wrap in the hands of the officials in charge.

Basically, this is how it works. If you can prove you aren't making ANYTHING then you don't pay a cent for your living quarters or any of the other benefits above. The more income you have to declare, the more you pay. But, HOW you spend your money is almost as important.

I didn't know that when I started. I was forced into retirement after four operations left me with an uncertain future.  Any second I might drop dead. The only income I had was $80 a month. When asked "What proportion of your income goes for rent?" I was dumb enough to admit I did the housework in exchange for free rent with a friend, and used all of my $80 to pay bills. That answer disqualified me on the spot.

When I was disqualified I went back and stormed angrily at the social worker who'd told me how easy this would be.

She was shocked at my innocence. "Peso, 90% of the people I send down there get disqualified the first time. That's because NO government official will ever feel you are in genuine need of assistance unless you keep reapplying to get it. That proves you are desperate, and it keeps them working longer too. You have to learn some of the other ropes too."

Here's the deal as she explained it to me ... whether you make $800 a month or $8 a year, you MUST be paying over 30% of your income for rent before you can qualify. The higher the percentage, the quicker you are approved. You can do what I did; paid my friend $50 for rent, and let her "donate" that much on my bills on the side. I know it is the same nickel, but this time they looked at the buffalo.

You will also need to have a verifiable rent paying record. This was another mistake I had to correct. If the landlords in your past won't sign the forms, you don't get approved. If they take a month or two to sign them, you wait! So, if you are doing this for your parents and they have been living with you, prepare a rent record for them before you go in.
After you run this first gauntlet you are ready for the race. (No, you did not just apply, much less qualify.) Now you need to realize there are TWO kinds of assistance for low income housing available, and each must be applied for separately. This is a blessing in disguise, since you will get placed according to how well you interact with the person in charge. Therefore if you miff one, you can still try the other side. I was pressed for time, tried both at the same time, got approved for both although one took a month longer.

The housing complexes are administered directly by the Housing Authority, either under the City, or under the County, depending on where you want to locate. If you are looking for an individual apartment or house you will have to uncover it within the boundaries they explain. Apartment complexes are available on a first come basis. In either case, after approval and before moving in, you must report ANY changes in income IMMEDIATELY -- for example, a raise of $3.00 per month disqualified me again and I had to start over. You MUST also report any change in family size IMMEDIATELY.

Any change in your legal status must be reported immediately. Any of these changes usually necessitate refiling your application and puts you at the bottom of the list again.

But the good news is; once you get qualified all you have to do is keep your mouth shut.

The "normal" rent payment must not exceed the amount established by the Housing Authority as your limit. This is what you SHOULD be paying, not what you will be paying.

The rent payment must meet the Housing Authority's definition of Fair Rent Value for that particular location.

The bathroom must be a separate room, and enclosed.

The utilities and sewer must be ON for the inspection.

YOU have to convince the landlord to accept the one year lease under the Housing Authority's guidelines and restrictions.
you must arrange all of the above, including getting the lights, water, gas, and sewer deposits made before the inspection is made. (Where the money comes from is not THEIR problem)

If any improvements must be made in the property, then it is up to you to see that the landlord does make them before the inspector is called out again.

Okay, that one was for the rich people. Us poor folks generally have to take an apartment at a complex. Once you are qualified for the Housing Complex you are almost home free. All you have to do is wait patiently until your name rises to the top of the list.

Reject an opening at your own peril, or with an awfully good excuse.

If you do decide you want to live at that particular complex, you must inspect the premises thoroughly before you move in. Any defects you don't find can be held against you and charged to your account at a later date. For example, l,ook for: cracked window panes, torn or stained carpets, loose tile, scratched refrigerators, etc. Be sure these are written down BEFORE you sign your one year lease agreement.

AFTER you move in to one of the complexes, or to a place you found yourself, certain other restrictions apply, including your right to overnight visitors. There will be inspections occasionally, and if they find the water or power suspended at an individual dwelling, you'll be looking for another home in a hurry.

Now, tough as it is to get in, AFTERWARDS things suddenly smooth out. A fifty eight page manual reveals every known agency anxious to be of assistance to you and what they do. You find out where to get your toenails trimmed every three months. A whole hospital staff comes to check your blood pressure every Wednesday. S

omeone helps you sign up for commodities, and even brings them to you. You get advance notice of all the parties coming up, all the times the bus will be going out. Someone comes down to help you get registered to vote, and of course, all the other benefits I have mentioned above.

With half the people in the United States reaching retirement age without adequate funding, you, your friends, family, or parents might be interested in this program too. Here's how to get enrolled.

Look in your phone directory's helpful numbers section for housing. HUD'S number will jump right out at you. Ask them for the local administrator of the "low cost housing." If you are walking someone through this process make sure they arrive on time for any appointments. Those coming in late are often put on the bottom of the stack again.

Coach them on how to answer the above questions correctly once they get those thick sheaves of papers thrust at them. Line up some friends in advance who will provide them with verifiable references so they can qualify.

Plan on it taking at least two months for the paperwork to be processed. Make sure they don't get a raise after signing the papers.

Compassion never comes cheap. Remember the most important rule of success, Keep Smiling! Unless they can come up with the refrigerator, stove, and utility deposits, gently steer them towards the apartments.

What about freedom? After you are moved in, you can go where you want, and do what you like. One woman here goes fishing every sunny day. One man picks up cans for extra income. Another one works yard sales every weekend. Some just work in their gardens. I ride my bike and exercise every day to get my health back. Others go camping when they please.

No, it ain't much. But for a nickel down and a dollar a week,

THIS IS THE LIFE!