Also disappointed by surprise rejection
I want to share a story about my mother and me not getting into the new 55-plus building in Peachland. We thought we had a good case to make, and are very disappointed to be rejected.
I applied for myself and my mom in May. My daughter moved to Edmonton to go to school and my son also went to Alberta. My mom went with my daughter and I was staying in my brother’s trailer on his rental property.
I couldn’t find an affordable place to live for us, so I thought this would work until we heard about the end of August concerning our application for the Peachland building.
When I applied, the rents were listed as $730 for a onebedroom and $1,200 for a two-bedroom. The income levels were $69,000 for a one-bedroom and $99,000 for a two-bedroom.
I hoped my mom and I could each get a one-bedroom unit as we could have our own places, but I could still be close to her, as we had lived together the past five years.
Between May and October of this year, things changed some with my mom. She had a few falls and isn't as steady on her feet as she used to be. So my siblings and I felt it was best that we apply for a two-bedroom unit instead.
About this time, I got called for an interview. I was offered a one-bedroom place for my mom, and a one-bedroom place for myself, at $900 a unit each per month.
I told them that neither my mom nor me could afford $900 a month. If we could, we would have rented a house for $1,800. I told them that my mom and I needed to be together now, and they said they would have to take that information back to the committee.
I thought we would get a two-bedroom unit. I was shocked when I got the phone call saying we were denied.
I was told we didn’t qualify for a two-bedroom unit, but I don’t know how that could be when my mom's and mine income together is well below $99,000.
I had to take a basement suite because I couldn't stay in the trailer anymore, and my mom is stuck in Alberta until I can find a place for both of us. Every time I talk to her, she asks when she can come home. It's heartbreaking and I honestly don’t understand how this could happen. I feel like there was something wrong with the process. My six months of dreaming and hoping that my mom and I would be in that building are crushed. Now I have to pick up the pieces, try not to be bitter, and move on. But it's not easy.