Dear Massachusetts Senators and Representatives,

We, the undersigned, are writing to you on behalf of our friend Jenn Bond.

Jenn is a hardworking woman who has recently been unable to work due to lupus complications and a serious infection that left her hospitalized.  She was diagnosed with lupus at age 12, but despite her disability she has always maintained employment and has been financially salient.

Now that Jenn has been unable to work, social security disability benefits have been approved and will start November 1, 2012.  Although we are both pleased and surprized that benefits have been approved so quickly, it is clear that without a section 8 housing voucher, most of her benefits will go to pay her rent.

Area section 8 housing options have waiting lists of about a year.  The section 8 housing voucher program has been frozen.

We would like to know how the government expects Jenn, a woman waiting for a kidney transplant and providing herself at home dialysis every night, is expected to afford to live anywhere.  She has limited family support and although we have been able to help her for October's rent, relying on a group of strangers has it's limitations.

We stand behind Jenn because she has always worked despite qualifying for social security disability benefits.  She is tough, she is a fighter, but without some significant intervention she will be unable to afford her apartment in the near future.

Please take the time to listen to our voices, voters who have faith that although this is a big problem in our system, someone will come forward and give Jenn the assistance she so desperately needs.