I have been talking about the possibility of being homeless. Today I am homeless. I do not a shared

[jwirr]

rental partner as of today. On the first I will not be able to pay the rent. Needless to say I am scared and heartbroken - I will most likely loose everything I have - which is not all that much but it is mine.

Anyone have any idea about finding someone to share costs?

[bitchkitty]

1. Craigslist - rooms and shares.

Even if you don't find someone, you should have some leeway in time. I'm sure it varies from state to state, but you should have up to 30 days - check your state's eviction laws.

[Blue_In_AK]

2. If you were in Anchorage, I'd hook you up with my daughter.

She needs to get away from a bad boyfriend, but is letting him stick around for financial reasons.

[handmade34]

7. if Phoenix....

my daughter is looking for place... too bad we can't get people together somehow...

[bloomington-lib]

3. It's easier in some cities than others. Where do you live? If there's a university nearby?

I don't think people use craigslist as often as they used to but that might be worth a shot.

[jwirr]

14. Small community near Duluth and we do have a college.

[EFerrari]

19. I had very good luck renting out a room to students from the local college.

I rented to foreign students. They were here to work, not fool around. Please look into it, it might work for you.

[eridani]

31. Right now is the best time of the year for doing that

Many students are leaving for the summer. In Boston, we furnished our entire apartment with stuff left out on the sidewalks in June.

[jwirr]

38. I would enjoy having a foreign student. I worked with students from Nigeria when I was in college.

[EFerrari]

41. How close are you to the college?

We weren't super close but in our suburb, everyone drove anyway.

[jwirr]

45. Bus route to local college and driving distance to colleges in Duluth. I am so glad of all the help.

[EFerrari]

46. If you want another pair of hands dialing, pm me.

DU is great for crowd sourcing.

[xmas74]

55. Contact the international students rep on the campus

and tell them exactly what you are looking for, how much the student's share will be, etc. Chances are they'll let someone know about you shortly.

Also, some of the international students stay stateside year-round, so you don't have to worry about how to pay bills in the summer!

[freshwest]

56. This may turn into a better life for you. Please pursue this! Good luck!

[Liberal_in_LA]

4. k&r

I hope you gets lots of tips on rental shares.

[graywarrior]

5. Sometimes, cities and towns will give you a month's rent in cases like yours

Call your town or city hall.

[lumberjack_jeff]

6. How much is your deposit?

Eviction takes a long time.

And contact area aid agencies.

[ZombieHorde]

8. ...

[Egalitarian Thug]

9. I'm so sorry. I wish there were something I could do.

There are so many variables as each state county and even cities all have their own laws and rules regarding this.

You might try the local college, students are usually looking for a place and have some money to pay...

[Glimmer of Hope]

10. Google rent assistance for your area. There are organizations that can help in the short term.

I hope everything works out for you.

[xmas74]

11. Call local charities, churches, contact Family Services for

a list of who to call, etc. Advertise on Craigslist and put up a sign at a local college for a room to let, if able. Speak with your landlord if able and tell them that you are currently advertising for a room mate-show them the ads if need be, and ask them for a bit of time. You never know if they'll give it to you since you can show that you are trying to find a new room mate.

[Arugula Latte]

12. I don't know if you're near Minneapolis, but here is one program in that city that might help

http://www.rentassistance.us/li/community-emergency-assistance-program-inc

Or maybe they could refer you to a program.

Good luck! I hope you can buy a little time to find a co-renter.

[jannyk]

13. Apart from Craig's List, all I have to offer is a...

[turtlerescue1]

15. Where in MN?

Spent three years working UnitedWay's FirstCallForHelp, start there, also the U. for a room mate.

Try the Lutheran Brotherhood agencies. Catholic Charities. Local community newspapers.
Neighborhood churches for room mates.

AND try to explain to the landlord.

Isn't there a place that helps with a one-time rental assistance, ask FCFH. think it was a church.

Hang in there, and when the rug went out from under me and lost my home, learned to ask myself "how much do I really need?". Not as much as I used to think.

The U, dunno if Humphrey Institute would help. Used to be a professor there, email me here and I'll give you her name, she may have retired by now.

PLUS and you don't want to hear this, but there is an entire homeless community in Mpls,
find the largest Salvation Army and simply walk in and ask.

[jwirr]

40. Thank you that is local MN help I can use.

[pnwmom]

16. Call up Catholic Community Services in your area. They won't proselytize you,

and they don't care if you're Catholic. They can give you information about local services.

[EFerrari]

20. This is also an excellent idea. n/t

[vaberella]

22. I was about to say that. Aside from yours that is the other great answer. n/t

[EFerrari]

23. iirc, colleges have housing offices where people place ads.

Also, the admissions office may have a list of incoming foreign students or have a suggestion for contacting them to interview.

The students come in usually in August. That would mean, jwirr would need to cover one month but there's time to handle that.

My student Carlos was from Portugal and spoke excellent English. I had two young sons and he missed his brothers so it was a great placement all the way around. I fixed his breakfast and dinner and he had his own room and the run of the house. His rent was never late. My family still remembers him very fondly.

[Lochloosa]

32. 1000 Thumbs Up for this suggestion. They were a great help to my son.

[MADem]

52. The St. Vincent de Paul Society will sometimes give out cash payments in emergency situations.

I know someone who lost their insurance and VdP paid the pharmacy bill until the guy could get on state aid.

[pnwmom]

53. Yes. There are good organizations like that out there, and CCS helps connect people to them. n/t

[dixiegrrrrl]

17. I have found room mates for several years for cost sharing.

Put an ad in Craigs list..it is free.
You are not homeless today if your rent is paid until the first.
take a deep breath......and a few more.
several good suggestions in posts here about finding a room mate.
room mates usually are used to paying first and last months share.

[Gormy Cuss]

18. In addition to Craigslist, check for local service providers for housing assistance.

If you can't find a share the next step would be to try to secure a new affordable unit. There should be both public and private agencies who try to assist people in finding affordable housing.
If you are over age 62 or disabled, make sure to mention that. You will be asked about your income too.

Here's one place I found in Duluth: the Damiano Center. They may be able to help you understand what resources may be available in your area.
http://www.damianocenter.org/programs/damiano-community-services

[jwirr]

42. Thank you. Things have changed since I last talked with you.

[Auggie]

21. The United Way used to have a homeless prevention program ...

It was in the San Francisco Bay Area, but decades ago. Perhaps it still exists.

United Way in Minnesota: http://apps.unitedway.org/myuw/luindex.cfm?id=browsecities&zip=00000&abbr=MN&app=

Good vibes, jwirr

[Savannahmann]

24. Give us your email address

If we all chipped in a dollar or two through Pay Pal, you could keep your apartment until you could get a room mate. There are literally tens of thousands of us. We can certainly help get you over the hump for a month or so.

[EFerrari]

36. That's a good idea but jwirr shouldn't post her email address here.

If you want to follow through, there are all kinds of ways to do it without exposing her to that kind of risk.

[jwirr]

43. I thank you for the idea but first I want to see what I can do in the next few weeks.

[Voice for Peace]

25. most places make it difficult to evict quickly

so that they can't kick you out for a few months if you
can't pay rent.. at least in some states. that might give
you time. you're not homeless yet?

Your real home can't be taken away from you,
it goes everywhere with you, it's inside of you.

[barbtries]

26. Craigslist

carefully. good luck. can you afford storage in the meantime? if losing your stuff is inevitable, why not sell it all instead for some cash?
wishing you the best possible outcome.

[jwirr]

44. I think that is a good idea to store my things.

[AndyA]

27. I'm sorry, and I hope things turn around for you soon.

Craigslist, university bulletin boards, or post notices in nearby laundromats (any apartment complexes close by?) If I can think of anything else, I'll post again.

Sending good thoughts your way.

[crunch60]

28. A few years ago when I was looking for a roommate, I put

up a sign in a church hall that sponsored AA meetings. I made a list of requirements, -must be sober one year, have a job, etc. I found a construction worker who needed a place for the summer. He paid me rent and helped with my back yard etc. I found two renters this way. Turned out fantastic.
Be sure and interview them first, and specify, no drugs or alcohol allowed.

Also check out senior centers and local colleges. They often have exchange student looking housing facilities. You could also put a sign at your local YMCA.

[EFerrari]

37. Another great idea.

Interviewing + really checking references.

[JNelson6563]

29. Wow! Terrible circumstances

and DUers line up with suggestions and support!

jwirr, I can't offer any advice you haven't already gotten. I'm one tough break away from where you are...I'm sending good vibes your way! I hope to read soon of things improving.

Julie

[RainDog]

30. my heart goes out to you

there are a lot of people who are in very precarious situations at this time.

you're not alone.

please utilize the information from people here.

this current economic mess has to end!

[nancyfladem]

33. Jewish Family Services provide some emergency financial assistance services

And in my area at least, you don't need to be Jewish to receive some services. At the very least the counselors will try to hook you up with whatever resources are available in your community.

[Rainngirl]

34. Just throwing something out...

But I think a lot of cities have a "senior share" program where they pair younger people with seniors who would like to not be alone or might need help taking care of stuff around the house. It will be the way of the future, I think. Seniors might not be as hard to live with as college kids. Good luck and prayers for you!!!

[Honeycombe8]

35. In most places, they have to give you 30 days' notice to evict.

So you'll be late. They'll ask you about it either when it's due, or if there's a grace period, when you hit that grace period. Then they'll have to send you an eviction letter that gives you 30 days to move out.

Can you afford a one bedroom or cheaper place?

I rented for many years. I had roommates some of those years. I saved money while I had roommates, but in the end that didn't save me any money. They ended up moving out before the lease was up, or I did. We'd lose the deposit, etc.

It would be best if you could move somewhere you could afford alone, as long as it's in a reasonably safe neighborhood.

I'm so sorry for your situation. Really.

[truedelphi]

39. My sincere condolences, jwirr.

Please hang in there.

This might not help you, but here in Calif. if you find out you are living in a unit that has not been legally permitted, you can stall around for the full term of eviction, and end up owing the landlord nothing. (Law citation Gruzen vs Henry)

[tpsbmam]

47. I lived in a community in CT that had a roommate pairing service.....

It was nonprofit. People with houses or apartments. who wanted to rent out a room were matched up with people looking to rent a room. Everything was done through the program so if troubles arose, the program would help sort them out. It was quite successful. I've been thinking recently it'd be a good thing to emulate in communities across the country with so many people having difficulty paying mortgages and others who've lost the battle to keep a home and need a place to live. You might try checking your community to see if you have a program like that. Have you tried calling 211 to see if they have any suggestions?

I'm so sorry.....I know it's a terrifying time for you. I hope you're able to find someone to share with by the time your next rent is due.

[kestrel91316]

48. I have no way to help so all I can do is give you a hug.

[Hippo_Tron]

49. Have you talked to your landlord at all?

Eviction takes work, as does finding a new person to rent to. Plus sometimes they're actually decent understanding people (don't know about your case).

Maybe you could work something out with them until you find a new person to share your space with.

[Smilo]

50. Call the college and let them know you have a room available - they usually

have boards they can post available vacancies.

Good luck!

[intheflow]

57. If the college has a graduate program,

grad students are not usually big partiers and make good roommates. I've done this twice to very good results.

Good luck, jwirr! Please give us updates as to how it's going.

[MADem]

51. Craigslist--or the local papers. Do you have anything you can pawn or sell to make the rent?

Can you get a part-time job to make up the diff?

Are there smaller units in your building (if you are in an apt?). Will your landlord cut you a break? Have you asked if you can move to a smaller/cheaper unit or get a break on the rent?

[turtlerescue1]

54. engaging in name dropping here

but just emailed Linda about it. Told her what, who and where. What we didn't come up with for solutions, she can.

her St. Paul email:
[email protected]

She is one of the nicest people I've ever met, truly. Hate that she is not going to run again.

[jwirr]

58. Thank you.

[Left Coast2020]

59. If I had my own place here

I would try to find a way to get you here. I'm near Sacramento CA. Trust me I would since I am in similar situation. I have possible place through someone with church. So I am keeping people posted with my circumstances. Hearing this makes me sick--in this country. I hate to see/hear people suffering like this. It is mentally cruel.

[turtlerescue1]

60. PHEW, LeftCoast am grateful

to see your post. It is not lost on me that you are half hour(depending on the fog) from where i was born and raised, and the j is in Mn where I spent 20+ years. GO to MN, besides getting to "cool off" there really is something called Minnesota Nice. As much as I love Calafia, don't get to be blinded.

Its a lot more than mental cruelty amigo. It also goes back decades, just goes "unreported".

THIS time the Democrats need to STAY United, (and amaze me) and NOT splinter. It also means facing off with the fundies, I certainly have opportunties to do this, am trying to learn to enjoy it. Hatred only breeds hatred, doesn't build a bridge, but sure reinforces a wall.

aside: it did bother me to see Ancestry.com in an ad here at DU.

It should be warm and sunny around Sacred Tomato, the dry heat. Don't give up or become disheartened. Enough experience with stress and you learn to say "Breathe in, 1-2-3 with the ribs-4-5-6with the shoulders-7-8, exhale slowly 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8", until your heart is no longer racing. I no longer have contacts in Calafia that I can be sure of still existing. Hopefully you're on the track to a solution, or at least a stay of sentence.

[On the Road]

61. If You Really Have Nowhere to Go:

1) Do not move out immediately just because you can't pay the current month's rent. Wait until the eviction process goes through, possibly until the day before the sheriff is supposed to show up. This may take several months. I am a landlord in Maryland and there is no legal way you can be forced to move immediately.

2) Finding someone to share the rent is not an insurmountable issue. Craigslist is good, but there are other ways including bulletin boards and word of mouth.

3) Try to get at least some assistance for a month's rent from local charitable agencies or church groups.

4) Look for other means of government assistance. Social workers may know some programs you're unaware of.

5) If you are facing homelessness, try asking DU for contributions through Paypal. It may provide at least a little spending money to help things. (Assuming it is still allowed under current rules -- have not kept up.)

I have flirted with having no place to stay a couple of times in my life. It is indeed a crisis, but you will still be around afterwards. Crises can be times to focus your energy and be creative. Good luck and please keep everyone informed.

[turtlerescue1]

62. JWIRR!

just read an email form Linda, "heck yeah,give her my name. Maybe I can connect her with the Senator up Duluth way."

[Starry Messenger]

63. ((hugs))

I wish I had any advice, but everyone posted good ideas. Sending vibes jwirr.

[FrodosPet]

64. Being homeless suck. I hope you can avoid it

If not, try to keep a few things in mind.

1. You NEED a cellphone. The thought of Freeper heads going "Pop" is a good reason on it's own, but seriously - get a cellphone. I cannot recall the name of the plan, but there are free "desperation" plans. Just use it for recovery calls and to occasionally keep in touch with people.

2. Shelters are not the nicest places in the world, and you usually have to go through some religious bombardment, but they offer some kind of meal, a place to clean up, and a place to sleep. Unfortunately, your bed will smell like years of B.O. and some of your roomies will scare the hell outta you, but play nice, keep a low profile, but don't look scared or victim-like.

3. Don't fall into the "woe is me" trap. When I was homeless in Houston a few years ago, I was walking around, waiting for the shelter to reopen. I started picking up trash around the city and Surprise! it made me feel better about myself.

4. If you are jobless as well, learn where all the temp agencies are. It is hard miserable work, but it is something, and it is a LOT easier to find a job when you have a job.

Good luck, be well, I hope something good comes up for you.

[glinda]

65. Talk to your landlord and do contact all the suggestions

since there are some good ones there. Very sad. good luck and keep us posted.

[jwirr]

66. As of 5 this afternoon (7/2) I will not have internet for a while - about a month. I wanted to

update all of you who have been so kind. I will be moving into another grandsons basement bedroom for a while. I am still looking for apartments but that is a really dismal job. But it think that a DU poster gave me the answer. A couple of days ago someone posted a story about a musician who moved into a 12 X 17 cabin ten years ago and has been living there ever since.

I have been a little house advocate since I first read Thereau. While I am staying at this grandson's I am going to start saving and building one of those 12 X 17 houses on my daughters farm. The family will help me and we have many carpenters in the family. My "Walden's Pond" is going to be a bit more modern than his - I am going to include electricity, a refrige and a bio toilet. I can shower and do laundry at the main house. Going to go the old fashioned Kitchen way - carry water to wash dishes, cook on a hot plate & slow cooker etc.

What this requires of me is to start looking at my things and deciding ways to fit what I want to keep into that space. So far I am doing pretty good with the idea on paper. Now I will have to see how it works in real life. And I am going to have to convince my children to stop thinking I am crazy. I do not see why they should think that - after all they are living in a 3 generation family with 7 people in a 4 bedroom home. I won't be any more crowded than they will.

Thank all of you - DU is family and I will be back as soon as I get moved into the other bedroom. Love you all. Jwirr