Ceiling on Rent: I am feeling concerned regarding rent allocations. There is a HUD ceiling for a rental in our area that falls short of the current market value of a two bedroom apartment in the town that we would like our daughter to reside. To apply for a higher rent subsidy allocation, the other mother and I have to visit at least three 2 bedroom apartments and provide rental records demonstrating the going rate in that town. That is the easy part.

Bureaucracy vs.Safety: This town, adjacent to our home town, is a safe area, where access to shopping, sidewalks, a library and other services abound. What is unclear is where safety intersects with bureaucracy. We have entered a world that is loaded with rules and regulations.

©Jill Edelman, M.S.W., L.C.S.W. 2011