Read Letter - Affordable housing, AISH and other public service programs.

By Mary, Jerome, Dolores, Evangeline, Patrick, Sunshine, Lacey, Data Salvani
Written Mar. 20, 2010
A letter written to Hon. Yvonne Fritz, Calgary-Cross

Dear MLA Fritz, Please don't let your fellow Ministers and Premier Stelmach cut funding from the public service programs (education, seniors, people with disabilities, health care ect...) Those services are important to ALL Albertans!!! As you may remember I am on AISH. Recently I have been trying to become more independant and move out on my own- however I am finding this very hard to do because of my low income. I am trying to move out in an effort to improve my mental health and reduce my stress/ frustration level. I know that you are the one who is the Minister of Affordable housing and that there is some affordable housing available. I am wondering how come it is so hard for people like me to find affordable housing then? I am on Calgary Housing's waitlist. I was told that it would take 2 years for me to rent a home from them. I don't have that much time to waste while waiting. My frustration level peaks very quickly which results in me hitting my head and giving myself a concussion. My parents are trying to help me find a home as well but again we're finding that very hard to do because only 1 of my parents is working. The other was recently laid off. My frustration level peaks most when I am at home. I am trying hard to work at reducing my frustration level through with the help of the the Calgary SCOPE Society (they help people with disabilities lead more successful lives despite the fact the funding they recieve from the government has been drastically cut), the Independant Living resource center, the Cerebral palsy association of Alberta and my psychiatrist. So far I am improving but I think I would improve even more if I were living on my own. My parents agree with my decision to move out- they think it will help me be more successful in the long run. I am trying to be patient when it comes to finding a safe home for me, but I find it hard at times because I can't afford a home like the ones that are out in the market right now. I can't even afford to pay rent for any rental property at this moment. As I stated earlier I would like you to also encourage your colleagues and Premier Stelmach not to cut any public service program that can help Alberta be a stronger and a greater place to live in. All the programs are equally important to all Albertans. For example seniors programs are important to people like my grandma who currently lives in a nursing home that has been put up for sale recently. She is also recieving a low income from her former employer and CPP. We don't know yet if she will have to move from the home that she currently lives in- no one does yet. All we know that she don't know her support workers because they don't stay very long there due to their low salaries. Another example is the cuts that have made to agencies including the Calgary SCOPE Society, Cerebral Palsy Association, Deaf & Hard of Hearing Services and the Canadian National Institute For The Blind. Both agencies have been forced to cut services to people with disabilities and their families because of the lack of funds they currently receive from our government. Several of the staff have had their hours reduced from full time 40 hour weeks to less then part time 20 hour weeks- despite the fact their workload has been increasing. This causes stress to the staff, organization, clients, and families. It isn't easy being a disabled person in Alberta. However I can only speak for myself when I say that I often feel like I don't belong here because government agencies, and people who are ignorant hurt my feelings so much just because I have a few disabilities. My friends who have disabilities have also said they have similar feelings just like my dad, and grandma do. I encourage you and your fellow coworkers, and Premier Ed Stelmach to not forget those who voted you in to your current jobs. I encourage you all to help us build a brighter future for all Albertans starting today by not cutting the services that are essential for us to survive now and in the future. On behalf of myself, my family, friends, and other Albertans who support the rally that is happening tomorow- I say thank you for reading my letter.

Recent Letters

Read more letters