Help Me Move Into Senior Housing

Since being laid off from my job in 2009, I have spent the past years struggling to be able to remain in the Bay Area as rents reach nosebleed levels and the wealthy push the poor to undesirable areas where the rent is still ridiculous. Thanks to a dear friend, I have rented a 400 square foot apartment in her home for the past seven years and she has held the rent at an amount that I can afford which, at that, is 50% of my income. I was able to obtain Social Security Disability due to AIDS, diabetes, and arthritis in the early years and am now living on standard Social Security Retirement. Throughout those years, I have done my very best to be placed on waiting lists for senior housing. Most waiting lists have remained closed during the entire time, but I was able to be placed on a few. Until I happened upon a place which asked for seniors living with HIV/AIDS, I thought I would have to leave my hometown.

The good news is that I have been offered a brand new apartment in a brand new building here in Berkeley when my rent will be 30% of my income. I will also have a community again for the first time in years and live near public transit and the Berkeley Flea Market and a farmer's market which will help make later years more enjoyable. The new apartment is called Harper Crossing and I have been given an estimated move-in date of September 1st.

I'm thrilled but caught off guard. As a result of my economic struggles, I no longer have any fund in savings and inadequate credit. Besides, I don't want to borrow what I cannot repay.

I need help with the general costs of moving: packing, cleaning, hauling and unpacking. Due to my health issues, I'm very limited in what I can do for myself. I hope you can see fit to help out for what I hope is the last move I'll make. From what I've seen so far, I should be comfortable at Harper Crossing until something more care-intensive is needed or I leave feet-first.

Thanks to any and all of you who are able to help.