In September I met Tom in our office in Friendship Park. Tom received $800 a month from SSI, had little rental history and past credit problems. While discussing some of the housing opportunities available to him, I suggested that he look into some of the less expensive room-and-boards, as there were no vacancies in rooming houses and he does not enjoy cooking.

Two days later, Tom excitedly returned to Friendship Park with news that he had found an opening in a room and board, and that he was looking forward to moving in the next day. He explained that the owner had been very helpful in moving him in so soon and she even allowed him to bring his digital satellite system television.

By early December, however, he decided he wasn’t completely satisfied with his current housing situation. He felt he was not getting enough food where he was staying, and that he was paying too much money for what the room-and-board offered.

At this time, Self-Help Housing just learned of another landlord who had recently opened one of her homes as a room and board and she was eager to fill the vacancies. I called her and made arrangements for her to meet Tom. The next day Tom returned again to Friendship Park to say that he had been accepted into the new place. He expressed his thanks to us for finding him a satisfactory place to live.