Letter to the Editor: Inglewood Housing Authority is refusing to help me. I’m disabled and can’t pay my rent!

Dear 2UrbanGirls,

My name is sheila scott and I was afraid to tell my story but I see my complaints to Hud about My situation with the city of Inglewood ,they have blocked me from every program in this city Because I spoke to Odest Riley Jr and said I have been supporting my city and the mayor since Moving here in 1978 ,but every time I ask for something it’s always no.

Since that day I have been turned away from all programs in This city.Mr. Pipkin came to my apt complex on 12/15/2019 after my workers comp benefits were exhausted ,brought application out for me to sign ,went and spoke my manager and said he would be paying my rent.she informed me.I called him in January and he said can you pay this month and I reached out to my family for Help,next month nothing called no answer. So I went to SER for jobs a senior job program In the Inglewood one stop program.she sent application around the same time and it was approve very quickly .

I told this to Mr pipkin bkecause my income so low he was concerned as to how I was going to pay after the funds ran out.Ms Rochellsaid it would pay 15.00 hr ,I brought that information to Mr pipkins and next time I met with ms Rochell she started making excuses and stopped answering mr calls but in hind sight they were all working together I reached out to mr Chavez and said he informed them to help me also with housing and jobs I’m over65 and 69% of my body is injured but I was willing to try some kind of job.

They all made a fool out of me they never intended to help,They also referred me to saint Margaret catholic charities in Inglewood same thing sharice and chantel said they could help me with my rent because my social check was too low,but she told call Ms Jones at Inglewood housing Just playing games ,ms Jones said they pay utilities made an appointment with Jeannine Then she not there or call back ,I have been in contact with Jeannie for years being a foster Parent for over 20 years and she has helped many of my tenants as I was a resident manager In Inglewood for 19 years.

The mayor’s nephew was one of my tenants and when my city needed To house the homeless I reached to ms Jones and took several in my building,I also had a young Lady who worked at city hall in my building,I love Inglewood but I can’t understand why I’m being mistreated for speaking my mind. Now I’m saddled with so much debt trying to stay in my apartment with a 870.00 income and a 790.00 rent each month .I have taken care of people all my life and had it not been for my work injury I would not need help I worked 3 jobs most Of life but being on workers comp for 15 years depleted all my social security I had put away after 10 years .

I’m not a beggar I’m a very proud black female ,but we all need help sometimes My story needs to be told and thanks inspector Lawson from HUD I now feel free to tell it to my city.and the world !!!

**Editor’s note**

The city of Inglewood has received $1.8 million in CARES Act funding earmarked for housing programs and intends to only assist 275 residents with three months of back owed rent.  Public Hearing on the matter is scheduled for October 13th at 2pm.  Email HUD Manager Damian Pipkins and DEMAND the Inglewood Housing Authority reopen the list to accept new applicants dpipkins@cityofinglewood.org and Housing Director Roberto Chavez at rchavez@cityofinglewood.org.