Monique Bourne details housing preservation case and asks for scrutiny
Bourne describes a disability set-aside apartment, a rent freeze, and landlord support for CityFEP, but says she faces a third non-payment proceeding. She asks the Council to scrutinize why preserving an existing home is so difficult and why access is concentrated after homelessness occurs.
My mother and I obtained this disability set aside apartment through Housing Connect.
It is rent stabilized and protected by low income housing tax credit affordability restrictions.
My lease is renewed through May 2027.
Dree freezes my rent at $1,309 through May 31st, 2027.
My landlord provided a letter of support and agreed to accept city FEPS and cooperate with the paperwork.
After my mother died, the income supporting our rent disappeared.
And the home did not become unsuitable.
My tenancy remains overwhelmingly viable if the needed arrears assistance and ongoing rent support become accessible.
Yet instead of stabilization, I have encountered resistance while the tenancy deteriorates and hangs in the balance.
I sought help before housing court.
I have supplied records, pursued appeals, and requested accommodations, but I now face a third non-payment proceeding.
My tendency is battered, just as I am battered, but we are still here.
Why did my tendency and I have to endure all of this?
If there are several pathways for people with disabilities and special needs, why have I faced
repeated housing court proceedings despite my landlord support, my renewed lease, my DRE protection, and my repeated efforts to meet the requirements communicated to me.
I live with a disability.
Homebase requires APS approval, but APS denied services, citing my efforts to seek help for myself.
Those efforts have come at a serious cost to my health.
I am struggling to keep my home, and I still need assistance.
Repeated requests and paperwork cannot replace the income we've lost.
On January 27, 2025, Commissioner Parks said there was absolutely exceptions.
On June 4, 2026, Scott French described one-shot deals as a first resource, case-by-case consideration, and several pathways.
Brandon, can you wrap up the interpretation?
And we are going to be reviewing all of the testimonies submitted.
But we will be moving on to our next.
Why is access so concentrated after homelessness has occurred?
Why is preserving an existing home so difficult?
I ask the council to scrutinize that imbalance and the barriers to prevention.