Need a room in San Francisco - south bay

[SaraM]

Hi, I have not been here for a while as I was so sick I could not even read any more. I am now desperately looking for a room in SF bay area . I cant afford an apartment and my disability case was denied about 2 years ago, but I can pay rent. If I do not find a place within 2 weeks I will have to live in my car until I find a place. I just do not know how I am going to do this car living with this debilitating pain and fatigue.

 

[minkeygirl]

Try the Penny saver or Craigslist, although lots of crazies on Craigslist. Look into roommate matching services?

 

[SaraM]

Minkey, I had no luck with Craigslist . Never heard of roommate matching services.

 

[Gingergrrl]

@SaraM I just did a quick Google search for "roommates" and "San Francisco" and got several hits. You might try roommates.com and also roomiematch.com as a start.

Unfortunately, SF is one of the most expensive cities to live in the entire country so you might have better luck moving to another area if this is an option?

Best wishes in your search.

ETA: You might also check websites or newspapers for student housing with the universities and community colleges as they often advertise specifically for roommate and shared housing situations.

 

[SaraM]

Thanks Ginger. You are right .Rent price has gone up drastically in the last 3 years in SF area, but I am absolutely unable to move for so many reasons. I will check those roommate sites as well.

 

[CantThink]

Good luck Sara - I'm in the UK so not much help.

 

[minkeygirl]

@SaraM Years ago they had roommate matching services. In fact some large apartment complexes used to match roommates. Look at any of the colleges in the area to see about finding a roommate there. Post on some message boards.

If you can manage it, I'd put up some signs outside health food stores, any place that has a bulletin board. Post on Craigslist yourself. Talk to some locals and ask them if they have any ideas.

How old are you? That may change how you approach this.

 

[SaraM]

Canthink thanks.
Minkey I have done everything you mentioned to find a place. Unfortunately now renting in my area is very difficult . It used to be much easier 4 years ago .

 

[CantThink]

This is for SF rather than specifically SF bay area http://www.meetup.com/flatmatesf/ so I'm don't know if it's any use. I think they have a page on Facebook also.

 

[CantThink]

Also this:

http://m.sublet.com/lecitylistsubmi...&aptshare=share&currency=usd&sortby=mprice_up

And this:

http://m.ebayclassifieds.com/f?categoryId=100042&locationId=2600001

 

[CantThink]

And lastly (you can change the location):

http://www.roombagger.com/statePage...adType=room&lat=37.3393857&lon=-121.894955499

 

[beaker]

you might be able to find an airbnb room to stay to tide you over til you find a place. Much better than a car.
SF is beautiful but $$$ to live. Much more when I was there in my previous life.

 

[SaraM]

Thank you all. I will try those services as well.

 

[Hope123]

Hi, I have not been here for a while as I was so sick I could not even read any more. I am now desperately looking for a room in SF bay area . I cant afford an apartment and my disability case was denied about 2 years ago, but I can pay rent. If I do not find a place within 2 weeks I will have to live in my car until I find a place. I just do not know how I am going to do this car living with this debilitating pain and fatigue.

A very short-term solution but check out Northern California hostels -- I think the limit for staying in them is 2 weeks but at least it will buy you some time:
http://www.norcalhostels.org/

As you well know, the SF Bay area is really expensive -- I'm glad I own my place as at this point, some rentals are costlier than my mortgage. Are there specific areas you are looking at? There are parts that are slightly cheaper like parts of the East Bay/ Oakland, San Jose, Daly City, SSF, etc.

Not sure if you have looked into it, but there are programs you might qualify for -- e.g. Section 8.
http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/topics/housing_choice_voucher_program_section_8

When I first came to the US, we were poor. I remember my mom's desperate search for housing and how long it took to find something safe and clean. We were fortunate that an acquaintance vouched for our family and another family was willing to rent us one of their houses for a reasonable price.

Here are some affordable housing links. HIP is a program that matches seniors/ people with rooms to people who need them; in some cases, the rent is further reduced if the person can help out with certain light household chores but you'll have to look at each situation. Some version of HIP probably exists in other areas.

http://hiphousing.org/
http://sf-moh.org/index.aspx?page=130
http://sfha.org/Public-Housing-Information.html
http://www.bridgehousing.com/
http://www2.oaklandnet.com/Government/o/hcd/s/AffordableHousing/index.htm
http://www.midpen-housing.org/about-midpen/our-history-mission/
http://www.sf-moh.org/index.aspx?page=1147 [seniors and disabled]
http://www.ilrcsf.org/get-support/housing/ [holds free low-income housing workshop for disable folks]

Also, call local university housing offices or check out their bulletin boards. Some housing offices deal not only with university dorms but off-campus housing.

Even if they don't have places that fit you, you might ask them who you can contact to get more help. Good luck.

 

[SaraM]

Thanks a lot HOPE, I will consider those options, too.

 

[Hope123]

Thanks a lot HOPE, I will consider those options, too.

Some other ideas as they may allow you to save $$ so you can pay your rent:

1) try to get discounts on your utilities (phone, gas, electric) if you haven't done so already
http://www.cpuc.ca.gov/PUC/energy/Low+Income/

2) apply for food assistance or get help with groceries:

http://www.cdss.ca.gov/foodstamps/PG841.htm
http://www.bayareahunger.org/your_foodbank.html


3) For the agencies I listed previously, you might want to ask if any offer individualized social service counseling as counselors know more about programs and which ones you would qualify for. In my pre-CFS life, I had social workers on my work team and they would help find specific services for individuals.

Also, don't be embarrassed about and ignore the folks that look down on you for seeking assistance. Unfortunately, 50% of bankruptcies are due to medical illness and most people in the US are only a paycheck or two away from homelessness. Being poor or being sick is not a crime.