[KD1980]

I just printed out an application for low income housing. Luckily I think I make enough to qualify.

I am considering emphasizing the point that I have only ever lived in abusive homes and I want to get out. Has anyone ever done this? Did it help you?

If not, does anyone have any advice on how to get housing when you're poor and mentally ill? What did you do to leave an abusive home?

[WishfulThinker66]

Sorry, I am not able to see how your current home life situation would affect qualifying for low-income housing. Neither would your mental illness status.

Are you in physical danger? Because they may have alternate temporary means of sheltering you.

I have applied for low-income housing myself. My then current living situation had nothing to do with my application. I was interviewed entirely on the basis of my ability to earn an income and my ability to pay my then current rent and living expenses. I was placed in a queue according to my need accordingly. I never did get selected. My income was considered low enough but the fact I had a strong support network kept me down the list.

KD1980, good luck with your application! I hope you qualify. I think it's a good idea to put in there that you've only lived in abusive environments if you feel comfortable putting that. It could help, you never know.

[amandalouise]

Originally Posted by KD1980

I just printed out an application for low income housing. Luckily I think I make enough to qualify.

I am considering emphasizing the point that I have only ever lived in abusive homes and I want to get out. Has anyone ever done this? Did it help you?

If not, does anyone have any advice on how to get housing when you're poor and mentally ill? What did you do to leave an abusive home?

umm claiming you are in an abusive relationship past or present isnt going to qualify you for low income housing. they have you fill in a paper asking you if you have on going issues that can affect you when you are already in low income housing. the reason they ask you this is so that should your abuser locate you and you have to leave in the dead of night to escape your abuser, the low income housing program wont prosecute you for not giving 30 day notice, breaching your lease by leaving before the one year or 2 year or 5 year leases are up.

in other words many that apply for low income housing are already on the run from am abusive relationship (ie in a domestic violence shelter looking for a new home)

many places are requiring you to make a report with the police or supply the information so that they can verify you are in hiding. this is so that people dont try and claim the abuse in order to get out of paying for leaving with out giving notice or paying for damages done to the property.

my suggestion.... if you are not at this moment in a domestic violence / abusive situation then dont claim it because it wont give you any priority status. and whatever. its just now state and federally required that apparment complexes supply that form and when answered yes to supply the tenant with emergency information like programs, how to make a police report and so on.

if you are at this moment in a domestic violence situation contact your local police department and domestic violence office. they will help you to get out of the abusive situaiton and if need be arrest the abuser. and help you prosecute the abuser. and help you get signed up with a domestic violence shelter network.

[MickeyCheeky]

I'm not sure how it works, KD1980, but it sure doesn't hurt trying! I hope you'll get accepted I'm so sorry you've been living only in abusive homes up to this point. Are you currently in danger? If so, I believe it may be necessary for you to call the police and get out of there like amandalouise and WhishfulThinker66 have already wisely said better than I ever could. You have EVERY RIGHT to do that. If you aren't, perhaps they'll still accept you although if you aren't in danger right now it likely won't make too much difference whether you claim that or not. I'd suggest to just be honest. Wish you ALL the best! Wish you the BEST of luck in BOTH your healing and your life! Sending many safe, warm hugs to you, KD1980, and to ALL the people you love and who love you!

low income housing = low income.

low income and in a bad situation now is good but not if all you have ever lived has been bad..because honestly everyone can claim that...how can anyone prove that? not saying you may not have but everyone and anyone can claim that..and unless there are police reports from every residence etc you can't prove it & everyone can claim the same.

I would say you are looking for a stable safe residence, abuse free from which to start a new life (due to a past history of abuse)….and leave it like that.

I would expect to get placed on a waiting list. as for housing for those who are mentally ill..they might off something like a group home if you sound particularly desperate ..or maybe the housing in your area is designed for the disabled as well in which case you well need documentation from your providers showing that were you live now is harmful, etc.