Volunteers set to work with George to secure alternative future housing and to access disability benefits for which he qualified. Volunteers also consulted with a housing advocate in the Cambridge Multi-Service Center who suggested that George apply for immediate emergency housing.
From there, George and various volunteers worked to reopen his case for long-term disability benefits and apply for emergency housing. George’s initial housing application was rejected by the Cambridge Housing Authority (CHA). Confident they could appeal the decision based on his case, volunteers worked with George to compile his housing history, worked with his landlord to provide a reference and evidence of the foreclosure, and reached out to housing advocates for advice. After months of preparation, George presented his case to the appeal committee at the CHA, who overturned the original decision and granted him emergency housing. In that same month, George was also approved for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), providing him with an additional $1,000 in monthly income and over $10,000 in back benefits.
George is now settled in a new apartment and is thankful to LIFT. "[LIFT] opened up a great deal of opportunities for me through their knowledge of community resources and they helped me make connections that were necessary for me to begin having hope again."
