Off the streets but struggling to avoid a return
By GILLIAN SLADE on December 20, 2019.
gslade@medicinehatnews.com@MHNGillianSlade Rob says four-and-a-half years ago he would have told you there was no way he would ever end up homeless and have severe financial struggles. Rob (his last name is withheld to protect his privacy) was a professional driver and had a second job doing cleaning. He made $3,600 before taxes every month and life was pretty good. At 46 years of age he suddenly had a stroke, lost movement on one side of his body and spent two months in hospital. He says he was physically fit, had never smoked or done drugs so having a stroke was not something he expected. Not only was Rob dealing with the physical results of the stroke, he was not working and the short-term financial supports available to him ran out within six months. He felt he could go back to work but says nobody would give him a job. “Emotionally and mentally it was a big strain on me. I can’t tell you the pain to get my legs moving again,” said Rob. Related: Homelessness up and on the rise He struggled financially, was homeless for a month and ended up declaring bankruptcy. He now has a part-time job and is grateful for an “amazing” boss. His monthly wage is about $1,300. That works out to about $1,100 after taxes. He’s managed to find a place to stay for $600 a month but after utilities, a monthly bus pass and food, he struggles. “I’m coping but it’s been hard. I’m under a lot of stress,” said Rob. Thursday mornings he likes to go to the Oasis cafe in The Mustard Seed building on Allowance Avenue. “This isn’t a place I ever thought I’d be,” said Rob, noting that meeting with others is important because his circumstances have resulted in increased stress and depression. “You can’t have these issues and not worry about where you are going to end up.” He feels there should have been some financial support for someone in his circumstances. Even now he would appreciate support to acknowledge he is doing what he can to be self-supporting but that it is not enough to live on. Drew Barnes, MLA for Cypress-Medicine Hat, says he believes Albertans would like to see supports for someone in Rob’s circumstances. He suggests that if Rob was to seek AISH it would cost the government more than rewarding him for being as self-supporting as possible. Barnes wonders if perhaps topping that up to ensure he is not so vulnerable is appropriate. Barnes say he will advocate for help for Rob. He says many people who have been on AISH for a long time and perhaps are currently able to work again do not do so because they fear not getting AISH when they need it again in future. He would like to see that addressed as well. 19-18
