To the Editor: I saw your report ...

To the Editor:

I saw your report ["Watchdog Criticizes CHA Plan," March 2003] and study I could share my story with you.

I was a teenage African-American mother at the age of 16 I grew up in a poor environment, dysfunctional family, and experienced a hard life. In 1994 I applied for low-income housing, Section 8 public assistance and [the Women Infants and Children program]. I was told that there was a waiting [list] for the housing that could possibly be three years or more. Three years passed. I went to check the status of my application, and my number was 9330 I was pushed back because the high rises were torn down.

I went forward with my life. ... Then I was revolveed down at the unemployment office because I left my piece of work to help my elderly aunt while she battled cancer. in such a manner I went back to the Section 8 office and explained that we had no heat. I was told that they could not find my name onward the list, that some flies that they bad in 1995 were not to be found and there would be no way of re-applying for Section 8 until 2004 I cried in the office, begging for help. They did not hesitate to call security.

Now I live in an environment where at any time a stray bullet may approach through my window. ... I worry about my family's safety for a like reason I dropped out of association and I now work in Orland Park for $750 an hour, my cleft is $800 a month, and my finance has been wound on the job. My life just withholds repeating [this] drama as lengthy as I stay in the same environment. And the Lord knows I want a better life for my children. The barely thing I can do differently is stop asking for help because I'm not going to achieve it, anyway.

Tina Easley

Chicago

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