Troubled ODSP recipient evades homelessness in St. Catharines

Despite finally finding a place to live after months of living in fear of becoming homeless, a St. Catharines woman says she isn't out of the woods yet.

Tabatha Thomas, 55, had been struggling to find a place to live since February, when her landlord issued her an eviction notice as he was planning to move into the downtown Queenston Street apartment where she has lived for the past nine years.

But after an exhaustive search, Thomas said she could not find a suitable apartment she could afford while living on the $1,212 per month she receives from Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP). The disabilities she suffers from, chronic anxiety and depression, limited her options for suitable apartments, while her source of income, she said, often resulted in discrimination from some landlords.

Adding to her fears, the Landlord and Tenant Board emailed her in late November saying adjudicators ruled against her efforts to remain in her apartment. Although Thomas made it clear during a hearing in October she had no where to go, the board gave her two weeks to move out.

Things took a turn for the better last week.

She said a representative of Effort Trust contacted her after reading her story in The Standard and offered her a fourth-floor apartment at the company's building on Tremont Drive near The Pen Centre in the city's south end at a price she can afford. Thomas said she is scheduled to sign a lease for the new apartment Thursday, and hopes to move in this weekend.

While it's a bit smaller than her current apartment, she said the affordable rent and location more than make up for the size.

I am very grateful to be offered that unit, 100 per cent. No one ever has come to my rescue in my lifetime," she said.

It's a perfect location for me. I don't drive and it's been a struggle for many years to have a friend to take me for groceries or whatever I need to do. It's fantastic because I have access to everything. It will make my life so much easier."

St. Catharines MPP Jennie Stevens, who twice discussed Thomas's situation at Queen's Park, called it amazing" that the landlord came forward to help her.

It's a Christmas miracle for her," Stevens said.

Thomas, however, said she is now facing moving expenses she cannot afford to pay, with only days left to come up with the money she needs.

Although she was granted enough discretionary benefits through the Ontario Works program administered by Niagara Region to cover her last month's rent - ODSP does not provide such benefits - Thomas said she has no funding to cover about $1,000 in moving costs.

I don't know how I'm supposed to move. I'm no further ahead. I'm caught between a rock and hard place right now," she said.

I have been struggling by myself since I had my daughter and was a single mom. I've always had to fight for myself. But in the position I'm in right now where I need help, I feel like I'm being really let down because I don't normally turn to people for help. I usually try to figure it out on my own."

Meanwhile, the little money she will have left after paying her rent will be further diminished by a requirement to have tenant insurance. It's about $30 a month, but it's more than she can afford with her limited income.

And it's Christmas. I'm already going to be alone for Christmas ... This is where I'm at. Now I'm going to struggle, and I don't know where this money is coming from," she said. As great as it is that I've gotten an apartment, it's all for nothing if I don't have the funds to cover everything."

She asked anyone who may be able to help to email her at tabatha.thomas@hotmail.com.

Stevens said her office has reached out to community partners," hoping to help cover Thomas's moving expenses.

I think we're almost securing her someone that will help her with moving costs," she said.

Stevens said she remains concerned about other people in the community who, like Thomas, are facing homelessness through no fault of their own.

We need to continue fighting for ODSP recipients, for the money to be doubled. It's long overdue that the support matches the need," she said.

Meanwhile, she recently co-sponsored a private member's bill to help prevent bad faith" evictions.

I'm going to continue fighting and give my support to any senior in the community. I don't want to see them facing evictions," she said. We have to continue fighting for them."

Allan Benner is a St. Catharines-based reporter with the Standard. Reach him via email: allan.benner@niagaradailies.com