Since 2019, Ms. Coots has been searching for affordable and accessible housing, applying for public housing and Section 8 with various housing agencies as opportunities arose. But when her opportunity for public housing came up, the floor plans of the properties offered wouldn’t accommodate a large-size wheelchair.
During her search, she’s encountered other dilemmas such as contacting accessible places that were no longer available, finding appropriate housing with rent that was too high for Section 8, being turned down due to her credit score, being placed on interest lists but never receiving notification that a place became available, and a mix-up with housing agency paperwork that wasn’t processed. Hospitalizations and illness further interrupted her search. Due to these ongoing issues and despite being awarded extensions, Ms. Coots eventually lost her voucher. Watching her rent increase each year, Ms. Coots became more and more fearful of losing her place, being unable to pay the rent, and not having a place to go.
Ms. Coots is currently residing in a nursing home and continues to apply for housing opportunities. She plans to provide public comment on local planning documents and share her housing search challenges.
