Caller Stories
A 40-year-old mother called 2-1-1 Texas South Central weeping and very worried. She wanted to know if 2-1-1 helps with housing. She and her two daughters, one of them weeks away from giving birth, and her two grandchildren became homeless on the day she called. They had been staying with the caller’s mother and brother, who has a drug addiction. Because of that, the home environment was unhealthy and not safe for them to stay. Thus, all five family members with a baby on the way made the decision to leave with only the caller’s Ford Expedition as shelter. She called for emergency housing and sheltering options for her family as a next step. 2-1-1 shared three homeless sheltering options in the area and encouraged her to call back if any other needs may arise.
A woman called 2-1-1 because her mother, who was helping her with mortgage payments, recently passed away and she was not going to be able to make her next payment. 2-1-1 was able to connect her to mortgage payment assistance services in her community. She was also interested in affordable housing options and was provided initial information on low income/affordable apartment communities. 2-1-1 was also able to offer grief counseling services to the caller to help her better cope with the loss of her mother.
A mother called 2-1-1 because her husband recently left her and her young children. She was unemployed and the utility company had scheduled to disconnect her electricity. 2-1-1 connected her to services to assist with rent and utility payments, as well as connect her to resources to help with job training and employment.
A woman, who recently found out she was pregnant and had also received an eviction notice, called 2-1-1 for help. She was in need of assistance with her rent and also prenatal care. 2-1-1 connected her to resources that could assist her with her rent and informed her that Medicaid and CHIP have a prenatal program for pregnant women. She was also provided a list of community clinics that accepted Medicaid and offered prenatal care.
A caller had received a notice about being evicted and was concerned about the legal aspects involved with the eviction process. She believed the apartment complex had not gone about the process correctly. 2-1-1 provided referrals to agencies that offer information about a tenant’s rights. She also needed some help paying her rent and was provided a list of agencies that offer assistance with rent.
A caller who was currently homeless reached out in search of help to get a social security card and identification card in order to begin receiving Medicare and SSI benefits. Resources were shared that could help with the payment of an ID card. The caller was also in need of food, but because of many food pantries requiring an ID and/or proof of address, they weren’t able to receive help. 2-1-1 provided some services that do not require proof of identification and the caller was very happy to have those resources
A man called 2-1-1 Texas South Central in search of help for his daughter who had been in and out of the hospital for the last month and a half due to difficulty breathing. She works, but has missed so many hours without pay lately due to hospitalizations that she was about $600 short on her rent. Her landlord was threatening to issue an eviction notice. This was her father’s first time calling having been referred to 2-1-1 by another agency he found online. 2-1-1 shared some resources that might help with financial aid for her rent and also information about tenant and landlord rights and the eviction process. Her father then shared that she has a five-month-old child living in the home with her and that he had been caring for the baby while she was ill. He shared that they are wondering if there is a mold problem, but cannot afford to have anyone come test for it. He said her breathing problems only began after moving into this apartment. Pictures of water spots and apparent mold were taken by them prior to moving in, but maintenance only painted over everything. After learning more about the current situation, he was encouraged to call Austin Tenant’s Council related to tenant law/landlord responsibilities related to maintenance and mold, in addition to the eviction process.
