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For those who don’t already know me, my name is Melissa Stang, and I’m an artist who went to MCAD, and was active for a good 30 plus years in the Minneapolis art scene. I now live in South Carolina. I still make art.
I am also 65 years old and disabled, whose sole form of income is a $1,500 monthly Social Security Disability payment, and the occasional sale of my work. My mobility is limited. After numerous accidents and orthopedic and spinal surgeries, I get around either by walker or wheelchair.
My situation is twofold: I am losing housing as of 6/1 at the same time that I have been diagnosed with some very serious health problems. (Just spent 5 days in the hospital.) These health problems include possible Congestive Heart Failure (Where your heart is not squeezing strong enough so that fluid builds up in your lungs) possible cancer because my blood platelet levels are extremely low and they can’t figure out why. (they also recomend a bone marrow biopsy. Ouch.) My blood work is in general, a huge mysterious mess.
Why are you losing your housing? Because my brother the doctor co-signed the lease so I could income qualify for the apartment. Now he wants off the lease, and management requires that I would have to prove income of 2.5 x monthly rent of $1,500 to stay. (Know any seniors on SSDI who can pull that off?) These same requirements would apply if I tried to get a new apartment.
This brother and other siblings have been pitching in to help me pay my rent, albeit reluctantly. They are cutting me off from any assistance 6/1.
They want me to get a job, which although I think is unrealistic, (especially since my recent 911 call / hospital visit) but I have tried to comply. (It would have to be remote, and ideally writing based rather than ‘phone’ or verbal due to problems with my lungs.)
FYI: I have been on the waiting list for every conceivable low-income, public or senior housing project for about 1.5 to 2 years to no avail. We have a very real housing crisis in this country.
Ideal solution? I am able to stay exactly where I am unless I suddenly get lucky and am offered an income based senior apartment. My current apartment is PERFECT. It is first floor with washer /dryer, as I am in no condition to slug my laundry anywhere. I am blessed with wonderful, kind helpful neighbors that take out my garbage and pick up my mail and packages from our Amazon Locker system. People that will run errands for me, like pick up prescriptions. A young lady across the hall who will do housecleaning for a reasonable price. In short, I feel safe.
Regardless, My Financial Needs are the same. I need to raise money either to stay here, or income qualify for another market-rate apartment, including deposits. And pay for movers. (Which cost me $500 last time, i.e. one third of my income.) It makes much more sense to try to stay here. It is centrally located, and I get my groceries delivered from either Kroger or Walmart very expediently.
I am roughly 20 mns from my Primary Care Physician, and 20 mns from Grand Strand hospital that treated me, and their Cardiologists, to which they want me to follow up with. Also 20 mns from the Coastal Cancer Center, which they have referred me to.
843-903-3434. Ask for Kim or Renee.