Former trucker desperately needs rental help.

Hi, my name is Harald, and I'm a former truck driver living in San Antonio, TX. My fundraiser is to help me pay for one month's rent and utilities where I currently live, then move into an apartment or house that is less expensive and pay two months' rent to get ahead. I felt that posting the hardship statement that I recently submitted to the City of San Antonio when I applied for emergency relocation assistance and emergency rental assistance would tell a more complete story. I would like to thank you for taking the time to read my story, and I would humbly appreciate any donations of any size that will put me closer to my goal.

"I, Harald Poe, am writing to request relocation assistance. I lost my job as a truck driver in November 2022 and have been unemployed since. While my unemployment is under appeal, I have registered with Work in Texas and other job search platforms such as LinkedIn, Indeed, Zip Recruiter, and Career Builder. Through Workforce, I am enrolled in the Phlebotomy Technician program at the University of Texas at San Antonio, and I am utilizing Google’s Skillshop to learn digital marketing. I applied to Texas Rent Relief in March 2023 and was notified that funding had run out just before my case came up for review. I have been actively and passionately looking for work, but to no avail. McDonald’s won’t even hire me. I try to find any side work to keep up with my rent and buy food. I do not have a car, so I am not able to get to any food banks for food. I rely solely on my SNAP benefits. My rent increased by $110 from $780/mo. to $890/mo., and this doesn’t count for trash or water, which my complex charges additionally for. I feel that at these rental prices, I could rent or even rent-to-own a small home or mobile home. I feel like I’m fighting an uphill battle trying to stay in my apartment. Every month I’m searching for rental assistance, and its becoming more and more difficult. I have cancelled all streaming services to cut costs. I switched to QLink Wireless to cut my cell phone cost, and I have switched internet companies and applied my ACP to cut my internet cost. I receive case management at the Alamo Area Resource Center for medical care for Type 2 diabetes and hypertension, as well as vision and dental care. My situation has started to effect my health because I’ve lost about 100 pounds, and I believe it’s due to stress. I have lost my credit cards, and my credit score has dropped to the low 400’s. My credit union closed my credit card account along with my checking account after 7 years. I have had to resort to using HEB Debit as my current checking and savings account because I am unable to open an account at a traditional bank. I am 58 years old, and I have no family to help me with any expenses, and I do not have the money to cover any moving costs. I am humbly requesting emergency relocation assistance in order to reduce my living costs so that I can regain my ability to support myself until I retire. Please feel free to contact me if additional information is needed.

Sincerely,

Harald Poe"

My goal is to pay for one month's rent and utilities where I currently live, then move into an apartment or house that is less expensive and pay two months' rent to get ahead. I am finishing my education at the University of Texas at San Antonio, where I currently hold a 98.3 in the Phlebotomy Technician program. After I graduate, I will sit for the state exam to get my license, and then I would like to work as a mobile phlebotomist.

The estimated cost breakdown is as follows:

Current rent: $905

Water/trash: $50

Electric: $125

Moving expenses:

Two-month rent: $1810

Deposit: $905

Movers: $500

Total cost: $3500

Please note that this is just a rough estimate, and the actual cost may vary depending on specific circumstances.

Again, I want to thank you for taking the time to read my story, and any and all donations are greatly appreciated.

Harald Poe