Kathleen Aerts’ story is the reason why Vantage Point exists as an affordable place for low-income senior citizens to live in Renton.
She raised her two children, Julie and Jason, alone, working in support roles for law offices for more than four decades and then temporary jobs. There was no money left over to save for retirement. Today, she lives on $1,037 a month in Social Security benefits.
But every time life seemed darkest, an “earthly angel” would come into their lives, she said.
“When things have been really bad in our lives, there was always an earthly angel who appeared and did something amazing and wonderful. And that is how I feel about King County Housing Authority. I mean that with all my heart.”
In early November, Aerts, 67, moved into a one-bedroom apartment at Vantage Point, a 77-unit complex operated by the housing authority behind the North Benson Shopping Center on 108th Avenue Southeast near the Fred Meyer store.
The $18 million Vantage Point is now full, after about 18 months of construction. The housing authority and the community will celebrate its grand opening next spring.
“There are truly no words in any language to tell you how thankful and grateful I am. I can make it now,” she said.
In 2009 she received her last paycheck and spent the next several years doing temporary jobs and occasionally contract legal work. “Try getting hired when you’re 63 or 64,” she said.
Her rent of $850 a month was unaffordable, so her now daughter-in-law Du Anne offered to rent her a room for $700 a month, which included everything but electricity. Still little money was left over for food once other bills were paid.
Then her son Jason, who worked in construction, learned about the Section 8 housing program while working at a job and he urged her to get on the list.
“The light bulb came on. ‘Mom, you need help,’” her son told her.
Her children had helped her pay for food, “but that made me feel terrible. You don’t want to be a burden to them.”
She had never asked for a handout. “I’ve always worked hard and did the best I could for my kids,” she said.
Then, on Oct. 2 the call came. A 540-square-foot, one-bedroom apartment was available at Vantage Point. Her rent is $260; she cooks her meals in a handy kitchen and has a big closet in her bedroom.
“I am so thankful. I can buy food. I don’t need to bother anyone. I don’t have to ask, ‘Can I please borrow 20 bucks’,” she said. She’d like to save money for a small car and maybe even get a dog.
Vantage Point helps the housing authority reach its long-term goal of expanding high-quality housing that’s affordable for low-income seniors 55 and older and younger individuals with disabilities who meet income qualifications, according to Rhonda Rosenberg, a housing authority spokeswoman
“There is a growing crisis in affordable housing for seniors,” she said. “It is especially difficult for people living on low, fixed incomes to be able to afford housing in our region.”
By 2025, one in four King County residents will be 65 years or older and 54,000 of these seniors will be living in poverty, she said, many with list more than a Social Security payment to live on, she said.
Applications and eligibility information about Vantage Point and the housing authority’s subsidized housing program are available online at http://www.kcha.org/housing/subsidized/apply
