Fire + Illness = Being Homeless Soon
Donation protected
On February 27th, 2019 our house burned down taking with it a child, most of our pets and our health (severe burns, brain injury, burned lungs, etc.), including the severe burns of one of our dogs.
https://www.unionleader.com/news/safety/boy-killed-in--alarm-hampton-fire-that-spread-to/article_45996d9c-ba32-5c46-b944-c375a74278ef.html
Since then, we have been in transitional housing. Unfortunately we are losing our housing at the one year mark due to the insurance running out. We have been looking fervently to find a place to live but have not been able to come up with anything.
We need to find a rental or hotel/motel that will allow for a dog and kids. The cheapest we have been able to find so far is $1600 a month at a Motel 6 in Portsmouth, NH but that's an unrealistic amount for us personally as we are on disability. There is a medical needs trust that is buying a house once they can find something in the price range, however, they cannot help us with transitional housing, bills, or food. So as of the one year mark, we are going to be homeless. Every house they have found so far has been in too much need of repair (lead paint, termites, rat infestations, etc.) so it would cost more to fix than the buying cost.
On top of that, there are two surgeries in January (for myself) and then another set of surgeries in February and March (for one of the kids). We do not qualify for most outlets (food stamps, Section 8, etc.) because of this locked medical trust (established previously for a child who fell into a bonfire at the age of 2 years old) as it is considered 'unearned income' even though there are no disbursements of cash, they cannot pay bills, and they cannot buy food under the law. So basically, the trust is worthless for the most part.
The money raised through this effort will go towards paying the rent for a place to live. Our disability has been cut and we get a whopping $900 a month to pay bills, get gas for the 5-15 doctor's appointments each week, and to buy food. This leaves us with very little and often I go without just to make sure the kids have what they need.
Many people are going to help us promote this to try and make sure we have something lined up before the deadline. We do have Partners in Health, a social worker and Families First trying to help us but so far they haven't found anything. Due to the medical issues, we cannot go to a homeless shelter as there are many medical devices need right now and they are not able to accommodate this.
The amount of stress has hindered the healing of the brain injury and there are daily struggles just to make it through. The fire destroyed our lives and trying to heal while facing homelessness is truly suffocating. So many are trying to help but so far nothing has panned out. We were able to get the kids clothes and Gather Food Pantry has been helping us with food. Right now we own nothing but a few items of clothing as there is no where to put things like furniture, toys, etc. The fire department is going to help with beds and appliances if we can find a place to live but cannot do anything before that. The Red Cross did a small donation so that we could get shoes and basic necessities back in April 2019. So, the only thing we are missing is a place to live.
We are so thankful for all of the help that has been received. We are also thankful that the other kids made it out but truly devastated that one did not. We have been emotionally, physically and mentally struggling with everything. We do have an extensive support group that is trying to help. The last piece that needs to fall into place is somewhere to live.
Things needed besides money for rent are gas cards, grocery cards or Walmart cards. All of these cards are very helpful to make sure the family has basic things. We are hopeful that someday we can find a way to repay everyone who has helped us through this devastating year. Until February 26 we will be located in Hampton, NH. After that, I'm not sure where we will be but I will update if we find anything or are granted a miracle.
Prayers going out to everyone who has had to go through something like this. It is such a horrible thing to go through and the feeling of hopelessness can be so overwhelming.
Thank you in advance for your prayers. God bless you all and may He keep you and your families safe.
https://www.unionleader.com/news/safety/boy-killed-in--alarm-hampton-fire-that-spread-to/article_45996d9c-ba32-5c46-b944-c375a74278ef.html
Since then, we have been in transitional housing. Unfortunately we are losing our housing at the one year mark due to the insurance running out. We have been looking fervently to find a place to live but have not been able to come up with anything.
We need to find a rental or hotel/motel that will allow for a dog and kids. The cheapest we have been able to find so far is $1600 a month at a Motel 6 in Portsmouth, NH but that's an unrealistic amount for us personally as we are on disability. There is a medical needs trust that is buying a house once they can find something in the price range, however, they cannot help us with transitional housing, bills, or food. So as of the one year mark, we are going to be homeless. Every house they have found so far has been in too much need of repair (lead paint, termites, rat infestations, etc.) so it would cost more to fix than the buying cost.
On top of that, there are two surgeries in January (for myself) and then another set of surgeries in February and March (for one of the kids). We do not qualify for most outlets (food stamps, Section 8, etc.) because of this locked medical trust (established previously for a child who fell into a bonfire at the age of 2 years old) as it is considered 'unearned income' even though there are no disbursements of cash, they cannot pay bills, and they cannot buy food under the law. So basically, the trust is worthless for the most part.
The money raised through this effort will go towards paying the rent for a place to live. Our disability has been cut and we get a whopping $900 a month to pay bills, get gas for the 5-15 doctor's appointments each week, and to buy food. This leaves us with very little and often I go without just to make sure the kids have what they need.
Many people are going to help us promote this to try and make sure we have something lined up before the deadline. We do have Partners in Health, a social worker and Families First trying to help us but so far they haven't found anything. Due to the medical issues, we cannot go to a homeless shelter as there are many medical devices need right now and they are not able to accommodate this.
The amount of stress has hindered the healing of the brain injury and there are daily struggles just to make it through. The fire destroyed our lives and trying to heal while facing homelessness is truly suffocating. So many are trying to help but so far nothing has panned out. We were able to get the kids clothes and Gather Food Pantry has been helping us with food. Right now we own nothing but a few items of clothing as there is no where to put things like furniture, toys, etc. The fire department is going to help with beds and appliances if we can find a place to live but cannot do anything before that. The Red Cross did a small donation so that we could get shoes and basic necessities back in April 2019. So, the only thing we are missing is a place to live.
We are so thankful for all of the help that has been received. We are also thankful that the other kids made it out but truly devastated that one did not. We have been emotionally, physically and mentally struggling with everything. We do have an extensive support group that is trying to help. The last piece that needs to fall into place is somewhere to live.
Things needed besides money for rent are gas cards, grocery cards or Walmart cards. All of these cards are very helpful to make sure the family has basic things. We are hopeful that someday we can find a way to repay everyone who has helped us through this devastating year. Until February 26 we will be located in Hampton, NH. After that, I'm not sure where we will be but I will update if we find anything or are granted a miracle.
Prayers going out to everyone who has had to go through something like this. It is such a horrible thing to go through and the feeling of hopelessness can be so overwhelming.
Thank you in advance for your prayers. God bless you all and may He keep you and your families safe.
Fundraising team: Helping the Village (1)
Kim Lone
Organizer
Hampton, NH
Jen Harrison
Team member
