2021 DPSS Annual Report Online_FINAL

Annual Report 2020/2021

Adult Services

John

Not long ago, John had a part-time clerical job, helping seniors in his community. But after four years on the job, his work contract ran out. That’s when things took a turn. As a result of John losing his job, he lost his apartment — he could no longer pay the rent. He studied his monthly income: $1,000 from Social Security and $170 from CalFresh benefits (which are specifically designated for food). There was no way he could afford the monthly minimum of $1,100 that one-bedroom rentals were going for in Riverside County. Without enough money and without any support, John felt hopeless. How would he ever find a place to live? When he first heard about Project RoomKey, he didn’t realize that his life was about to change again — but this time for the better.

With the help of APS social worker Fabiola Miranda, John received a Section 8 voucher and began searching for homes. He applied for more than 20 units, only to be denied. He studied the growing list in a small notebook that he kept in his pocket and fought off discouragement. Finally, a landlord in Hemet decided to give him a shot. It took awhile for everything to be sorted out, but now John, 68, has an apartment with an orange tree in the backyard (which he loves) and a job as a community services assistant with Riverside County. “I’m actually renting my place for less than what the section 8 grant was for,” he says.

Thanks to the help of many organizations within Riverside

County, John is now back on track. “It worked out pretty great. I looked and I prayed and I looked and I prayed, and this is what happened,” he says.

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