My rent was raised $350 to an amount that is over 52% of my monthly income - higher than I am able to pay and still meet my other necessary expenses.
I am a senior and a disabled Veteran. I rely on SSDI as my sole income, and depend on HUD Section 8 for housing.
I believe I am a victim of discrimination because of my source of income and socioeconomic status. It is no secret that property owners want to "get rid of" Section 8 tenants for any number of reasons, many of which are based on prejudice and class discrimination.
With only a 60-day notice, property owners in California can increase rents to anything they want, thereby forcing lower income tenants out of their homes. It is legal - and extremely unfair. Laws favor property owners and create a financially hostile environment for disabled, low-income renters who are unable to work and compete for a living wage. We have no protections against this practice.
I now have only 30 days left to find a home in a market where waiting list times for affordable housing are up to - and over - a year. Without urgent and sufficient help, I will suffer serious financially damage that is difficult or impossible to recover from.