Dawn Siegner is at the end of her rope.
For the last year, the Highlands resident has been trying to find her younger brother, who is disabled, a place to rent in Greater Victoria. SheB次元官网网址檚 called dozens of places on his behalf, but is afraid his disability is affecting his ability to find a suitable place to live in an already tight rental market.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 frustrated and heartbroken,B次元官网网址� Siegner said.
B次元官网网址淚 just want people to look at those on disability as people. It doesnB次元官网网址檛 mean people are messed up B次元官网网址� I just want to find people out there who have been down this road and can open their doors.B次元官网网址�
SiegnerB次元官网网址檚 brother did not want to publish his name for fear he could be investigated due to his living situation.
The 58-year-oldB次元官网网址檚 troubles began about a year ago when he was living in an apartment in the Hillside/Quadra area.
SiegnerB次元官网网址檚 brother is on disability and receives $1,150 a month.
When his roommate had to move out due to medical problems, SiegnerB次元官网网址檚 brother was unable to pay the rent by himself and was forced to move out.
For the last four months, heB次元官网网址檚 been paying rent and sleeping in a friendB次元官网网址檚 dining room near Hillside Mall.
But trying to find a one-bedroom or bachelor suite for around $850 on a bus route has been a challenge.
Siegner has called numerous places for rent on her brotherB次元官网网址檚 behalf that heB次元官网网址檚 found on sites such as Craigslist and Kijiji, and never receives call backs.
SheB次元官网网址檚 inquired about renting hotel or motel rooms, but said they charge anywhere from $1,700 to $1,900 a month B次元官网网址� hundreds of dollars above what her brother can afford to pay.
If SiegnerB次元官网网址檚 brother canB次元官网网址檛 find housing, heB次元官网网址檚 fearful heB次元官网网址檒l be out on the streets one day.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 depressed and frustrated,B次元官网网址� he said.
Siegner said theyB次元官网网址檙e simply asking for an opportunity.
B次元官网网址淗e doesnB次元官网网址檛 even have the opportunity for a meeting. He really needs to find a place to live. ItB次元官网网址檚 wreaking havoc on his mental state. ItB次元官网网址檚 very depressing for him,B次元官网网址� she said.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e just asking for a chance. See us, meet us, let us have a look at the place, take our backgrounds B次元官网网址� We just pray thereB次元官网网址檚 somebody out there that will help.B次元官网网址�
Dawn and her brother are not alone in their search for a place to rent. With the vacancy rate hoovering at 0.5 per cent in Greater Victoria, Jim Franklin said many on income assistance are struggling to find places to rent at affordable prices.
B次元官网网址淎 lot of people canB次元官网网址檛 find anything and canB次元官网网址檛 afford it,B次元官网网址� said Franklin, head advocate with the Action Committee of People with Disabilities.
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