DISCRIMINATION???

I want to share something when you guys that happened to me yesterday on Memorial Day. I am looking to move. I have just been approved for Section 8. Which is HUD. I pay 30% of my income and they pay the rest for a place for my family to live.. There is a limit of $600 for a house and $650-675.00 for a duplex/ townhouse. I am really struggling to find a place within those limits, but I know I will find the "Right" place for us. I am on disability, so I needed help with my bills. Okay, so I called around to a few places and then found this one duplex...3 BR, fireplace, full basement, hardwood floors, brick duplex, $650/$650.  sounds great huh? Well, I went on to ask all my little question like do u allow small dogs? What schools are in the area? and so on... He asked me to hold on a minute and said he has been having ALOT of calls on the place... making me want it even more..So I held on hold. It was about 5 minutes, but that was okay... The place really sounded great!! He came back online and explained to me that he is a minister and does a crisis line for alcoholics and apologized or the long hold. I thought what a great thing to do... Okay, so he says ( at the beginning of the call) that it was 3 bdm and it was a firm 650 a month with a 650.00 deposit!! Then I finish asking all my questions and he said "how much is your HUD voucher?" I replied. Up to 675.00. He said thats great! That is how much I charge for rent. I said really? ( as I am thinking I know whats really is going on here)He gave me the address he asked  1. What do u do for a living? I said.. I am disabled. 2. What is your disability? I said excuse me? ( confusd ) since I know you are not supposed to ask that. He said well can u walk up and down steps? I said yes, I .. I have depression. He chuckled. Now, I am getting a little defensive. He said how long has it been since you have worked? I said Jan. of this year. Then, I felt like I needed to say something good... I said after my upcoming surgery... after I heal and do my therapy and get well I will be returning to work. He asked what surgery? I said Gastric Bypass. He asked me if I sit around on a couch and eat all day or do I exercise? I was VERY offended. I said, No actually I do exercise and even started going to a great gym! He then asked what are the ages of my children and how many do I have? 13,11 and 6. He asked if I am married? I said yes, we are seperated . He then went on and said boys or girls? I told him again... I was very pleasant and aggrivated @ the same time. He told me how HORRIBLE Joplin schools are and I need to move to Webb City ( he had a webb city # by the way) I said well, I am actually pleased with the schools so far and my mom being a North Middle school teacher has been a blessing since most my Middle schoolers teachers know her :) That kind of let him know I am liking the school thus far!  He then switched up and told me that it is in a horrible neighborhood and my kids need a house, not a duplex or townhouse. I am thinking is this guy really giving me advise? He said that this just isnt the place for kids to live in. BTW, it is all of about 4 blocks from N. Middle school. So, yeah not the best neighborhood but the street had all nice houses and looked decent. If you havent been to Joplin, it will have a good area and then 2 blocks down it might be a little rough... So, no matter where I move to it will be a little rough somewhere... Now, at this point he is really wanting me to NOT want this place. I think it is because he realizes he asked me questions that he should have not of. I should have not of answered either! I wont next time. I have never encountered that before... I am still @ aww that this was from a minister. I am wondering where he went to school for his ministry? He could be a cult leader for all I know. I do know, that I dont want to rent from someone who offended me by asking if I sit around and eat all day. I was embarressed. I do know, that I have very well behaved kids that DONT run in the house and they dont write on walls! I wonder if anyone else has ever encountered this? I get stairs sometimes when I go to Taco bell or somewhere and sit in a booth w/ one of my skinny friends and I can barely get out of it. Now, that is embarressing! lol. But, this man was flat out a jerk and mean about it. Dont think just because someone says they are a minister... it is the truth! I am so upset and disgusted! I will tell you that I am still having a hard time finding a place. I am wanting to move somewhere that I can stay atleast 3-4 yrs. I dont like moving. I am planning on moving before my surgery in Aug., but if I am unable to find anything then I will ask to see if I can go on a public housing list which is the city's own places. I would rather have this section 8 since I can transfer that anywhere in the U.S. Although, I have no plans of leaving the Joplin area. I am thinking about applying for the Housing 4 Humanity or buying a house once I am finished with the tt surgery and I am bacc on my feet well and back to work. I know section 8 has a good 1st time buyers program, so I have options here. Okay, now I am beginning to ramble and I know this is long. But, I needed to vent and just wonder if anyone has ever gone through anything like this?

I meant to say Habitat for Humanity... lol. Sorry!!

Boy it takes all kinds to run this world doesnt it? Yeah i think most of us have had someone to be that rude and nosey too. This guy sounds like and out and out jerk tho. or maybe on the really weird side ? dont know if i would want to rent from him at all. He sounds really kookie? And i will vouch that if all of your children are as nice as the one that came with you to the meeting that night then YES you have very good children ... Sure wish there was some way that you could get back to the Springfield meeting again. Are you going to the one over there on Saturdays?  Good to see you on the board again. welcome back. 

(((HUGZ))) Jan, I wish I could make it this week... Tonight, isnt it? I would love to go... I dont know what nutti's plans are? I know she isnt able to this month, but I would love to go so that I could sample some stuff. I am going to be getting my car worked on this month, it is a bday gift to me from my parents !!! I am so glad! All my $ is going to the move. Also, I think since we are taking my car to sedelia  for the appts and surgery and they dont want any mishaps. As I dont either :D. I am not too worried about this guy, I honestly was just wondering if anyone else had any problems like this? I am going to the support meetings here, the more I go the more I like them!! I hope to be able to come to the ones in springfield soon ! Have a great day! Thanks for welcoming me back!

Hi! Dont know about discrimination but he definately is on the weird side! Sounds like he does maybe hold a grudge against anyone who might be weight challenged! lol LOOk somewhere else dear! God will provide the right spot at the right price at the right time! Wish we could see you again tonight!

Count it a blessing that you didnt get mixed with this dude, he will get his in the end, my prayers are with you that you find a wonderful place that would put his to shame....vesta

I have rental property and have rented Section 8 also. Please call your Section 8 rep and turn this guy in!!!! This is the type of land lord that makes it hard on all whether your rent or are a renter. This should not be tolerated!!! Good luck on your search!

I went to the Housing Authority and couldnt get past the secretary... she is their "GATE KEEPER"... She is very hard to get passed... I will make another attempt tomorrow this time on the phone... When I talked with her she said that it is all HEAR say and there wasnt a thing I could do about this... I just dont see how that is so? I think the problem is there are TOO few ppl willing to take section 8... But, even so this shouldnt be tolerated!!! Thanks everyone for the support! I am irriated by it, but not letting it hold me down or ruine my day. I am back to the concrete looking for a new place I have faith that something will turn up!!

Lori, I'm sorry you're having such a hard time.  People like this S*CK!!   That definitly doesn't look good for him if he is supposedly a "minister".   Like others have said, the right place will come, when it's time.  I wish you and your family luck!  I will be praying for you.   (((Hugs)))  Angy