Quote:
|
Originally Posted by JiriHrdina
Consider this.
In order to get an apartment in this city you have to have:
$500 damage deposit (conservative estimate)
$1000 for first and last month's rent
So even if you have a job that you can afford to get an apartment you still have to come up with $1500 extra to get it. Often this is what prevents many from getting off the street. They can't ever save that $1500.
|
True, but there are options.
Long story short but I once ran into an old friend of a friend who was living on the street. I had him come back home with me; did up a resume (trust me, it wasn't very impressive) and we hit the pavement; giving my number as a contact number. Next day he got called for a job pumping gas.
Then we went apartment shopping and found a cheap one for $350 a month that included electricity. (This was Winnipeg in the mid-90's) We went to Social Assistance with this info, and they cut him a cheque that day for $850- $700 for the apartment (sec deposit and 1st month; the most a place can charge) and $150 for work clothes. We managed to get him work clothes for $75 from thrift stores, and spent the rest on a couple of pots, dishes, and some basic food.
Two week later we asked his boss to withhold 1/2 of what his rent was every month and cut a seperate cheque payable to the landlord. Last I heard a year later he was still working and living in that apartment.
I know the economics in Calgary are different than Winnipeg 10 years ago, but the point is there are agencies willing to help; but they can only help those who want to be helped.
As others have said; I have worked downtown for 6 years now, and it's the same people every day begging for change.