Editor:
Thank you to an Edmonds family who gave of their time and the use of their vehicles to help me move earlier this week when I had no one. They saved me at least six hours of work. Without their help, basic items would not be in my current dwelling.
As a back story, I went from owning a secure condo, with underground parking, in a sought-after neighborhood. I remodeled the unit in 2013, including installing a purified air system for one of my medical conditions.
Supporting my partner, Mike, of eight years, in moving to Edmonds, I lost one-third of my capital and financial assets. I also lost long-term professional health connections. I naively thought we were partners for life, and I would be secure. Within a year here, the relationship changed dramatically. I can no longer afford to purchase or rent and am in a tenuous temporary living situation.
As an aside, homelessness, and, or poverty doesn’t just happen. It never occurred to me I would be in this position. I trusted and gave trust to a fault. I am now in a vulnerable housing situation. Like many others, I am balancing housing, medical expenses, and food.
Poverty doesn’t just happen. There are cases where substance abuse, debt, and bills do not have anything to do with it.
However, naïveté and trusting to a fault can cost one, possibly beyond repair. Due to limiting complex health issues, I haven’t been able to find a niche to earn income, and I have tried using government, private and nonprofit resources. Many people, instead of accepting, have been attempting to “fix” me.
Before the Edmonds family responded to move the remainder of my possessions, I was giving up hope. Nonjudgmental, caring people who are willing to take a chance, are invaluable to the Edmonds community.
When you see a person experiencing homelessness, or who doesn’t have a job, or who isn’t wearing the “right” attire, I ask, kindly show compassion. The individual may have a master’s degree, for the most part made good choices, have a high credit score, and be of good moral character,
They may have had a traumatic life, left toxic relations, and would rather be alone and suffer the consequences of poverty than return to or enter a worse situation. You might wonder what could be worse.
On the same note, when you see someone functioning well, you never know if underneath, they are suffering many of the challenges, as mentioned above, additional, or other ones.
When you have the combination of time and strength to listen genuinely, you might better understand people experiencing desperate situations.
Lori Rasmussen
Real first and last names — as well as city of residence — are required for all commenters.
This is so we can verify your identity before approving your comment.
By commenting here you agree to abide by our Code of Conduct. Please read our code at the bottom of this page before commenting.
Sign Up for Our Daily Edmonds Newsletter
Lori, thank you for your insightful comments about homelessness. We are indeed so quick to judge. I applaud your courageous sharing of your own situation.
Thanks for sharing. God Bless you and watch over you.
Thank you to Edmonds, and beyond, for providing resources to search for housing. I sent an application to the Housing Authority of Snohomish County (HASCO), and am in the process of redirecting one to Snohomish Affordable Housing Group. I received a lead on New Beginnings and the YWCA, and I am searching on the Silvernest website. Silvernest is similar to a relationship matching web site; this one connects homeowners with renters throughout the United States.
This process is humbling in the true awareness of the lack of available housing, and how each part dominoes. One random property in King County, there are 65 units, and 424 parties are waiting for those units. This appears to be typical. One older property here in Edmonds of 225 sq ft is $975.
As I complete forms and talk with property managers, I am discovering the longer I am in a tenuous housing situation, the quality of my options lessen. This has to do with a lack of a true address, and it will likely affect my credit score.
I am fortunate in that a neighbor grounds me, reminding me I have resources; it is not the end of the world. I don’t know what I would do without her reminding me I am going to be okay, that I am okay.