Mine is a personal story, but more common than people know. There’s many people walking in these shoes.

I am a 58 yr. Old widow, I have many health problems, problems with side affects I have no control over. I will not let these problems, either break my spirit or beat me down. I can still live alone, drive, and take care of myself.

I came to Dover in 1958, as an Air Force dependent. I met and married a wonderful man who was also an Air Force dependent. We raised 3 great children here. Then in 1996, I lost my husband to cancer. In 1998, I moved to Texas with the hope that the warmer weather would help with my health problems, one being arthritis, which is slowly taking over my whole body.

I put everything I had, in a down payment on a mobile home. With Medicare and HMO working together, I could just make ends meet, with no money to waste, as for anything extra.

In 1999, we lost the HMO’s, because they pulled out working with Medicare, because they said they weren’t making any money working with Medicare patients. That left me with a $500.00 a month prescription bill, more to pay for doctors visits, and a big up front payment of $812.00 to go to hospital each time it’s needed.

Now add a mobile home payment, electric, water, trash, etc., then try to buy food for a near normal diet - NO EXTRAS!

Needless to say I could not do it all, so I ended up having to let my mobile home go back. I put my life in storage (at $180.00 - $200.00 a month) and I moved back to Delaware in July 2001.

I have not had a place of my own to live since then. One year now.

I stayed with a friend until November 30, 2001. Then I spent a little more than a week living and sleeping in my car. Then I went to a shelter in Dover, for only a week, as I was scared to death, and mistreated. When I left there, I was back living in my car. Remember how cold it was the middle of December? I contacted a friend, whose sister has opened her home to me, since December 23, 2001.

I have contacted every agency, housing, aging, disabled I could find out about. I called Senator Carper’s office, the Governor’s office, I called ads in newspapers, from lists given to me. It took from August 2001 to December and January 2002 to geta a Section 8 voucher. I had no luck for 4 months finding anything, as no one had either a 1 bedroom place, putting me on a few waiting lists that could take 1 - 3 years for an opening, or they do not work with Section 8. I was talked to like I was dirt, put down, etc. many times over. Now I have to wait again 6 months - 1 year for a voucher - Section 8.

Think long and hard, how you would live on a low fixed income? Remembering the things that have to be paid, now add what the unexpected might do.

Just because we are disabled, or getting older doesn’t mean we don’t need and want a place to live, that is safe, in good condition, good landlords. Remember how many elderly people die each year because they can’t afford heat, air conditioning, or able to open up a bedroom window. We need a place to be able to rest, and heal our bodies, just as you.

In June 2002, I found out that the Greenfield Manor Apartments in Bear, Delaware have 36 apartments sitting empty, and are trying to put out 64 families because the owner does not want to work with HUD anymore. This has been going on since June of 2001. I had put an application in their office on October 2001 for subsidized housing. I have been there, called many times, and received many reasons for why I haven’t heard anything from them. Still these apartments sit empty.

Now I want to know how and why this owner is getting by with this? He has had and still does have a contract with HUD.

Now I want answers! It’s time to stop passing the buck on blaming others. Just get the JOB done, you’re PAID to do.

I want a place to call home, get my life out of storage (a year is a long time) and get my life back on track.

Remember the Disability Law was passed in 1990. Stand up America, our country was founded by the people, for the people. We have rights, now lets fight for them. United we stand, divided we fall. I am not a low class person and I won’t be treated like one. I breath, bleed, have needs, feelings. Just as you. Let me have a life and my Pride.

My father served in U.S. Air Force for 30 years, fought in World War II and Korea, doing his part, as many others have and do today, to give me and you a better place to live, the United States of America. What’s happening to US? Look around the towns you call home. Not just your life, but others too.

Please, I ask you, read my letter, not once, but many times over. Think this could be you, or someone you love.

Please we need your support and your help, now!

Carolyn Picard