Interviews with Impacted People
Coalition members reached out to individuals across Washington state who have been impacted by the lack of Housing Justice to tell their stories. In an effort to protect these individuals, their identities will remain anonymous, but their message will still be heard.
One impacted individual writes of the how dismissive the current state of the housing process is, despite a decade having passed since their initial incident. They write:
“I got charged with exploitation of a minor about 15 years ago when I got involved with a man I shouldn’t have! I didn't know how to set boundaries and was a people pleaser. I got treatment and learned about boundaries, learned my lesson and have taken responsibility. Finding a place to rent for me is impossible! I have a 1-year-old baby boy, and no one will rent to us. Nobody wants to even look at me to give me a chance even though it has been 15 years since my convictions! I have a good job, income and have had no violations. I have been off of probation and paid all of my LFOs! I am the lowest level and least likely to re-offend but none of that matters. I haven’t even had the chance to explain my story to anyone. Every application to rent is the same... corporate offices decide and they pass down the decision and the apartment managers say no! I even called corporate office and they tell me there is nothing they can do because of my background check. I could easily become just like any other homeless person on the street.”
Another individual wrote about the immense efforts that impacted individuals are expected to complete in to find housing, with no guarantee of results. They write:
“I put in applications and they take your money then that is the end of the conversation. I recently had my foot amputated and I’m disabled. I applied 100-200 times all over Bremerton and Tacoma. It is absolutely frustrating. I finally got a camper and live in campground and a Walmart parking lot. I’m now back in school to be a substance abuse counselor. I want to develop a harm reduction programs and I have a 3.5 GPA; I’m working my tail off.”
As heartbreaking as these stories are, they are unfortunately all too common among those impacted by the lack of housing justice. Even individuals like these two, who exemplify some of the strongest traits a landlord could ask for in a tenet, are outright denied housing due to their histories. It is because of stories like these that housing justice continues to be an issue that calls for changes to be made, now more than ever.
