Support Candace: Facing Health and Rent Challenges

Y’all, this is my mom’s cousin. She knows firsthand what it’s like to go through some tough times & now she’s struggling to make her rent. Please read & give if you’re able. ❤️

Her story:

Over the past 5 years since the beginning of the pandemic, Candace's financial situation has dramatically changed.

In 2020, she lost her job in retail when the store closed. Her landlord put his house on the market, and she had to move. Because of her financial losses, she was able to qualify for a federally funded low-income housing facility for adults 55 and older. She paid 60%, and the facility paid the other 40%.

One of the stipulations of the qualifications was that she could not work, which only left her to collect her Social Security to live on.

Her health has declined over the years (she'll be 74 in Sept.). She has melanoma skin cancer, stage 3 kidney disease, and PMR, a debilitating rheumatism being treated by an injection every 2 weeks.

In 2024, the facility where she lives raised her rent $150 per month. She was able to requalify for the 50% status (the lowest the government has). This year, the facility is raising everyone's rent another $150.

There is NOT a state law that prevents landlords from increasing the rent by any amount. The amount surpasses more than half her Social Security monthly income, not including water, sewer, electricity, auto insurance, food, household supplies, internet to pay bills, etc.

Candace did qualify for a small amount of SNAP benefits to help with food, but federal aid is about to be discontinued.

We've searched other housing facilities. None of these even come close to covering Candace's modest expenditures.

Candace is single, with no brothers or sisters, or children to help her.

Please contribute to help Candace stay near the cousin (us!) who is the only family she has. Thank you. ❤️