[nabs-l] new york advice on apartments

Tue Apr 17 20:21:36 UTC 2012

Hi all,
William, I'm sorry to hear you've had such awful experiences with
rental discrimination. Fortunately I don't think that sort of thing is
too common. In my young adult life I have rented several apartments in
two states (AZ and CO) and over the course of that time, lived with
four different sighted roommates whom I did not know previously. None
of my roommates had any problem at all with my blindness, either when
I moved in or later on. There was one girl I tried to live with once
who did decide to share her place with someone else because she wasn't
comfortable with blindness. It was sad, but in hindsight I was
probably better off not getting into that living situation.
I have also never had any issues with landlords or landladies turning
me away because of blindness. If a rental company (i.e. apartment
complex) does this it is illegal and you have every right to file a
civil rights complaint against them. I did rent a basement apartment
from a homeowner a couple years ago and I was worried that since it
was an informal leasing arrangement, if she discriminated against me I
might not have legal recourse. As it turned out, the landlady had no
concerns about liability or safety, but she was a neat freak and
initially questioned whether I would be able to keep up the
cleanliness of the place without sight. This threw me for a loop at
first, but I assured her that I knew how to clean and had passed my
apartment inspections when I attended Louisiana Center for the Blind
(I guess those inspections are actually good for something!) I also
assured her that if the place became untidy or if any property was
damaged, I would take responsibility for either fixing the issues
myself or paying for new equipment, professional cleaning etc. This
seemed to satisfy her and we ended up having a very good rental
relationship, so much so that she offered to negotiate so my boyfriend
and I could stay in the place when we decided to live together.
Although it is sad that I had to jump through this extra hoop to get
the place I wanted, I do think that most discrimination can be avoided
if we convey confidence and willingness to take responsibility for any
problems that may arise.
I have had my mother co-sign leases for me when I wasn't earning the
minimum income required by the lease, including once when I was living
in CO and she was in AZ, so this should be an option even if your
parents are out-of-state. Often the minimum income is much higher than
the amount you actually need to be able to afford the place. For
example, one place where I lived required me to be earning at least
three times as much as rent was. I was only earning about twice as
much as rent, but I'm not a big spender, so it was OK for me to be
spending half my income on rent. So my mom co-signed the official
documents but didn't actually help me pay the rent since I had enough
income to spare. You should review the rental application and lease
carefully to make sure you understand what is or is not required.
I think using Craigslist is fine, so long as you go check the place
out and meet the potential roommates, if any, in person first. You'll
know if they're legit pretty easily-just use common sense.
Best,
Arielle

On 4/17/12, keri <wvucountrygirl729 at gmail.com> wrote:
> this is a college in the middle of the city no room for a dorm.... And not
> to mention i can't just go to any college.
> keri
>
> "Sometimes your nearness takes my breath away; and all the things I want to
> say can find no voice. Then, in silence, I can only hope my eyes will speak
> my heart."
> --Robert Sexton
>
> "For every beauty there is an eye somewhere to see it. For every truth there
> is an ear somewhere to hear it. For every love there is a heart somewhere to
> receive it."
> --Ivan Panin
>
> Find that guy that will pick up every piece of your shattered heart & put it
> back together; Replacing it with a piece of his.
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Joshua Lester" <jlester8462 at students.pccua.edu>
> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, April 17, 2012 2:19 PM
> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] new york advice on apartments
>
>
>> Wow!
>> Oral Roberts University has a good Psychology program, in Tulsa, and
>> they have great dorms!
>> Blessings, Joshua
>>
>> On 4/17/12, keri <wvucountrygirl729 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>> my school has no dorms. living on campus isn't an option.
>>> keri
>>>
>>> "Sometimes your nearness takes my breath away; and all the things I want
>>> to
>>> say can find no voice. Then, in silence, I can only hope my eyes will
>>> speak
>>> my heart."
>>> --Robert Sexton
>>>
>>> "For every beauty there is an eye somewhere to see it. For every truth
>>> there
>>> is an ear somewhere to hear it. For every love there is a heart somewhere
>>>
>>> to
>>> receive it."
>>> --Ivan Panin
>>>
>>> Find that guy that will pick up every piece of your shattered heart & put
>>>
>>> it
>>> back together; Replacing it with a piece of his.
>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>> From: "Joshua Lester" <jlester8462 at students.pccua.edu>
>>> To: "Misty Dawn Bradley" <MistyDBradley at gmail.com>; "National Association
>>>
>>> of
>>> Blind Students mailing list" <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>> Sent: Tuesday, April 17, 2012 1:51 PM
>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] new york advice on apartments
>>>
>>>
>>>> Also, what about living on campus?
>>>> Is the boyfriend going to school, too?
>>>> Thanks, Joshua
>>>>
>>>> On 4/17/12, Misty Dawn Bradley <mistydbradley at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>> Hi Keri,
>>>>> You may also see if there are student apartments that are specifically
>>>>> for
>>>>> college students. Some of these may even include utilities in the rent.
>>>>> Misty
>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>> From: "keri" <wvucountrygirl729 at gmail.com>
>>>>> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
>>>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>>>> Sent: Tuesday, April 17, 2012 10:13 AM
>>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] new york advice on apartments
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>> well when i can actually get to school.... forensic psychology.
>>>>>> keri
>>>>>>
>>>>>> "Sometimes your nearness takes my breath away; and all the things I
>>>>>> want
>>>>>> to say can find no voice. Then, in silence, I can only hope my eyes
>>>>>> will
>>>>>> speak my heart."
>>>>>> --Robert Sexton
>>>>>>
>>>>>> "For every beauty there is an eye somewhere to see it. For every truth
>>>>>> there is an ear somewhere to hear it. For every love there is a heart
>>>>>> somewhere to receive it."
>>>>>> --Ivan Panin
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Find that guy that will pick up every piece of your shattered heart &
>>>>>> put
>>>>>> it back together; Replacing it with a piece of his.
>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>>> From: "Joshua Lester" <jlester8462 at students.pccua.edu>
>>>>>> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
>>>>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>> Sent: Tuesday, April 17, 2012 10:08 AM
>>>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] new york advice on apartments
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
>>>>>>>I wish you all the best.
>>>>>>> So, Keri, what's your major?
>>>>>>> Thanks, Joshua
>>>>>>>
>>>>>>> On 4/17/12, keri <wvucountrygirl729 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>>>>>> i can't postpone moving to NYC. I have to go to college.
>>>>>>>> As for section 8 I'll get there eventually but unlike others I know
>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>> have
>>>>>>>> done with out it. It just takes hardwork in dedication, but I don't
>>>>>>>> have
>>>>>>>> years to wait for the government to get up and help me.
>>>>>>>> keri
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> "Sometimes your nearness takes my breath away; and all the things I
>>>>>>>> want
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>> say can find no voice. Then, in silence, I can only hope my eyes
>>>>>>>> will
>>>>>>>> speak
>>>>>>>> my heart."
>>>>>>>> --Robert Sexton
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> "For every beauty there is an eye somewhere to see it. For every
>>>>>>>> truth
>>>>>>>> there
>>>>>>>> is an ear somewhere to hear it. For every love there is a heart
>>>>>>>> somewhere to
>>>>>>>> receive it."
>>>>>>>> --Ivan Panin
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>> Find that guy that will pick up every piece of your shattered heart
>>>>>>>> &
>>>>>>>> put it
>>>>>>>> back together; Replacing it with a piece of his.
>>>>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>>>>>>>> From: "Wmodnl" <wmodnl at hotmail.com>
>>>>>>>> To: "National Association of Blind Students mailing list"
>>>>>>>> <nabs-l at nfbnet.org>
>>>>>>>> Sent: Tuesday, April 17, 2012 8:30 AM
>>>>>>>> Subject: Re: [nabs-l] new york advice on apartments
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> Good morning.  First, are you on any of the federal housing
>>>>>>>>> programs
>>>>>>>>> like
>>>>>>>>> section 8?  On your limited income, that is the only way you both
>>>>>>>>> will
>>>>>>>>> be
>>>>>>>>> able to obtain an apartment on your own.  The other option would be
>>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>> look for roommates to share a place.  Good luck with that, when
>>>>>>>>> they
>>>>>>>>> see
>>>>>>>>> you are blind they are going to run! run! run! or never show an
>>>>>>>>> effort
>>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>> share the place with you.  Forget the fact that there are two of
>>>>>>>>> you.
>>>>>>>>> I apologize in advance for sounding cynical; however, I want to be
>>>>>>>>> truthful and not sugar cote the truth.  Landlords in NYC as well as
>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>> rest of the USA will not want a blind person, let alone 2 b/c of
>>>>>>>>> liability
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> issues, etc.
>>>>>>>>> Have a strong presentation, be ready for much rejection.  Also be
>>>>>>>>> ready
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> be offered many many scams.  Have someone sighted go with you to
>>>>>>>>> make
>>>>>>>>> shore that what you are being offered is really the offer.
>>>>>>>>> I remember someone being open to me and showing no issue to my
>>>>>>>>> blindness.
>>>>>>>>> When we saw the apartment, everything seemed great.  However, the
>>>>>>>>> sighted
>>>>>>>>> person told me later to not take it since wholes were up high in
>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>> walls, mouse droppings were in the rugs, tiles in the bathroom and
>>>>>>>>> hallway
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> were missing with exposed pipes and wires.  I called the
>>>>>>>>> real-estate
>>>>>>>>> office later thanking them for insulting me as a person and there
>>>>>>>>> response
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> was one of shock.  The representative said in many words that
>>>>>>>>> he/she
>>>>>>>>> wanted me to be grateful for the apartment and that they were
>>>>>>>>> "willing
>>>>>>>>> to
>>>>>>>>> rent to a blind person"  Good luck, I hope all goes well for you,
>>>>>>>>> and
>>>>>>>>> let
>>>>>>>>> me know what you come up with.  You may want to wait on waiting
>>>>>>>>> lists
>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>> apartments through HUD or other programs and postpone your move to
>>>>>>>>> NYC
>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> a good number of years.
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> William O'Donnell, distributor
>>>>>>>>> Organo Gold Enterprises, INC.
>>>>>>>>> www.willsholistics.organogold.com
>>>>>>>>> Sent from my iPad
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> On Apr 16, 2012, at 1:34 PM, "keri" <wvucountrygirl729 at gmail.com>
>>>>>>>>> wrote:
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> greetings,
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> My bf and I are about to move into an apartment in the New York
>>>>>>>>>> City
>>>>>>>>>> area.... We both live on SSI for the time being... We are in need
>>>>>>>>>> of
>>>>>>>>>> apartment recommendations that we can aford... We are both college
>>>>>>>>>> students. We prefer Statin Island but are open to suggestions in
>>>>>>>>>> the
>>>>>>>>>> city
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> area.
>>>>>>>>>> thanks,
>>>>>>>>>> keri
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> "Sometimes your nearness takes my breath away; and all the things
>>>>>>>>>> I
>>>>>>>>>> want
>>>>>>>>>> to say can find no voice. Then, in silence, I can only hope my
>>>>>>>>>> eyes
>>>>>>>>>> will
>>>>>>>>>> speak my heart."
>>>>>>>>>> --Robert Sexton
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> "For every beauty there is an eye somewhere to see it. For every
>>>>>>>>>> truth
>>>>>>>>>> there is an ear somewhere to hear it. For every love there is a
>>>>>>>>>> heart
>>>>>>>>>> somewhere to receive it."
>>>>>>>>>> --Ivan Panin
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> Find that guy that will pick up every piece of your shattered
>>>>>>>>>> heart
>>>>>>>>>> &
>>>>>>>>>> put
>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>> it back together; Replacing it with a piece of his.
>>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>>> nabs-l mailing list
>>>>>>>>>> nabs-l at nfbnet.org
>>>>>>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/nabs-l_nfbnet.org
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>>>>>>>>>> for
>>>>>>>>>> nabs-l:
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>>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>>>>> nabs-l mailing list
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>>>>>>>>
>>>>>>>>
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>>>>>>
>>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>>> nabs-l mailing list
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>>>>>
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