Vignette 5

Isabella has lived in a subsidized housing apartment for the last five months after several years of unstable housing- including living in a women's shelter, rooming home, IRST program and with friends. Isabella is committed to staying in this apartment until she is able to move into her own apartment. She would eventually like to live in her own home. Isabella has a history of losing her housing for failure to make payments and was recently in danger of losing her housing due to nonpayment of the rent, not cleaning her apartment and allowing her electricity to be turned off. This occurred when she was depressed and did not get out of bed or pay bills including rent. She was behind on the rent for several months prior to this because during a recent manic episode she spent her money on "gambling and partying" with Paulo and his friends at a casino. This resulted in a confrontation with her landlord and fellow tenants that is now resolved.

Isabella has a history of failing to pay rent and house payments. Isabella's failure to make house payments when she was married resulted in the loss of the family home and greatly contributed to the end of her marriage as her husband was unaware of the situation until it was too late. She has a long established pattern of poor money management including spending money on buying clothes for herself and family and friends, drinking and gambling. She is then unable to meet basic needs for shelter, food and supporting her son as well as buying gifts. In addition to not paying rent, Isabella has not maintained her apartment, not cleaning it regularly or taking out garbage. This has resulted in a confrontation with her landlord who came to her house and was upset because she had not paid rent for several months and had let her electricity be turned off that resulted in her refrigerator going off and having spoiled food in her apartment. Other tenants complained of the smell and the landlord had to call Isabella's ex-husband and her case manager to intervene because Isabella refused to come to the door.