The definition of housing

I am writing to bring to your attention my current housing situation and the challenges my family and I are facing. As an elderly retired individual, I am living in substandard housing and am under-housed. In an effort to create a least restrictive environment for my adult son, who is on the autism spectrum and lives independently in his own apartment, I have been utilizing a van transferred into a Special Needs Trust as my office and additional living space.

Despite these efforts to manage our living situation, there are growing concerns that I am homeless, and instead of receiving the necessary assistance to prevent our imminent homelessness, I am facing discrimination and unjust profiling. The prevailing attitude seems to be that homelessness is synonymous with mental illness or substance abuse, which is far from our reality.

This negative connotation is overshadowing the truth of our situation and is being used to justify acts of cruelty from property owners and workers who are attempting to force us out of our home. It is disheartening to see such judgments based solely on outward appearances without considering the whole picture.

I urge you to consider the following points:

My Current Living Arrangement: While unconventional, the van is a crucial part of our living arrangement, providing additional space necessary for my son’s well-being and my work.

Imminent Homelessness: We are facing imminent homelessness due to discriminatory actions and urgently need assistance to secure stable housing.

Misconceptions and Stigma: The negative stigma associated with homelessness is leading to unjust treatment. We must look beyond appearances and understand individual circumstances.

Everyone deserves a safe and secure place to call home, regardless of what that home looks like. I am requesting that the city take action to provide the support and resources we need to prevent homelessness and ensure fair treatment for all residents.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. I am hopeful that with your help, we can find a solution that provides stability and security for my family.