My mother’s housing and financial issues have hit dire straits. My father passed away just over two years ago. The apartment that my parents lived in came with my father’s job (he was a resident manager). Because of his passing, my mother has to move out of the apartment very soon. That’s where the problems start. Even though she has the means to find a place to live, she doesn’t have the credit to do such. The last place she applied for rejected her because of credit score (it’s in the 550s). Neither my sister nor myself have the means to be her co-signer for a place or have the place or space to take her in. It seems as if with her irresponsibilities with her credit card, the foreclosure on the house she signed with my father, and now the eviction, have made it almost impossible for her to find a place to live. I don’t think I can help her, even if I want to. I’m at a loss for answers, running into walls each time. What can I do and what can my mother do? Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
How old is your mom?
Is she cognitively impaired in some way?
Is there a reaon you think this is your problem to solve, and not your mom's?
She is an adult. This is her issue, not yours.
Here is an article from StreetEasy that might be helpful: https://streeteasy.com/blog/renting-with-bad-credit/
Ask them when calling if a low credit score for an 81 year old will be a hinderance. Or is it a debt to income ratio problem on top of a low rating? Honestly, it is probably the eviction that is the real problem. Has she not been paying the rent?
If she has to, you will have to find her a private rental. Like a basement apartment or similar.
I can understand why your sister stears clear, mom is a train wreck and obviously irresponsible, this usually accompanies a no personal responsibility attitude, meaning that she will be leaning on you guys to sort her life out. Sounds like that is happening now, to you.
Make mom take responsibility for her life and actions, to the degree she can and you will be less stressed.
This isn't your sisters responsibility (or yours) to take on, so try not to blame her for your moms situation, she/you didn't create it.
I am sorry for your families loss. May you all find peace and strength, may The Lord guide and help this situation.
Well, you ask a very good question. My sister has her own life, a stable job, and lives on her own. Even though my sister is more economically stable than I am (I admit), she hasn’t stated any interested in helping my mother (boarding reasons). Keep in mind that we (my mother and I) haven’t seen her since the pandemic started even though all of us got vaccinated, and my sister only lives less than a mile away from my mother. I’m doing what I can to straighten out my own matters (looking for a new place and a new job in possibly a new city). It seems quite selfish when I have my own problems to figure out. If there’s something else going on with my sister, I’d like to know. Is there a reason why she’s keeping the both of us at arm’s length? It’s very suspicious in my opinion.
Your mother seems to have created a problem for herself and as an adult, it is hers to solve.
Did your father leave insurance, a pension? What is mom's financial situation? Is she asking you both for help?
I would not call needing to leave the apartment your Dad was given as part of his job an eviction and it should not be counted as such. He received the apartment as part of his employment. When he passed, the agreement was no more. The only way, IMO, it could be considered an eviction would be if Mom refused to leave or was then expected pay rent and didn't.
Mom needs to stop charging on that card. Have it frozen. Then pay as much as she can monthly to pay it off. Lots more than the minimum payment which probably only covers the interest and none of the principle. But she pays at least the minimum and on time. Remember too, interest is calculated before the payment is applied so the more she can pay down the better. See if there is anything she can sell. Then throw that money on the credit card. Maybe after paying on time and showing she is trying to get the balance down, the credit card company will bring her interest rate down.