TAMPA, Fla. — According to Harvard's Joint Center for Housing Studies — renter homes are more likely than owner households to have a member with a disability.

According to Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies, renter homes are more likely than owner households to have a member with a disability.

Lynne Warberg and her disabled son are facing eviction and, despite having social security benefits, they are struggling to secure affordable housing.

Warberg, 72, and her son have been trying to relocate after the home they were renting for almost a decade was sold.

“This is the problem with all of property management is that they want you to provide proof that you have three times the amount of rent,” said Warberg, who is on a fixed income.

“$2,500 divided by three; all I can get approved for is $800. Where am I going to get a place for that?,” she added.

She’s collecting retirement benefits and her son is collecting Social Security for his disability — a severe brain illness that has put limitations on employment.

Warberg thought they were close to getting a place, but for one reason or another, things have fallen through.

She’s now considering leaving the state of Florida.

“There’s nothing here,” she said. “I have exhausted my search.” 

The Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities found that disabled renters are often priced out of homes at rates higher than the public due to low wages and inadequate benefits.

A study by Freddie Mac says that disabled renters also struggle with housing accessibility. 

“Every time I go to the grocery store, everything costs $2 more. Yes, I go to food banks. Many churches are trying to help everyone, but you can’t live like that forever. People that are disabled and they don’t have anyone to help them. I don’t know what they do,” said Warberg.

Warberg says she’s mostly concerned about her son’s well-being, but admits the stress of not knowing where they will live has also impacted her health.

“I have Rheumatoid Arthritis,” she said. “You’ll see my lovely crooked hands. It affects your whole body. It’s a chronic illness and there is no cure. You take a lot of chemo drugs and that lowers your immune system. I’m worried because you know I try to stay healthy, but I’m not because I have this disease and what would happen if something happens to me? What would happen to him?” 

A collage of photographs on her bedroom wall also highlights her career as a film photographer and work on Skid Row and in New York City.

She took many photos of the homeless and it’s an issue she says she always has had sympathy with.

“I really understand how it doesn’t take much to become homeless,” said Warberg. “I can see it happening to us now. I’m like, well, I don’t have enough money, I don’t know how to make more money.” 

Recently, the Department of Housing and Urban Development budget proposed increases for affordable housing. 

To assist low-income renters, President Biden requested $32.7 Billion for Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers. 

If approved, that would renew all current vouchers and create 50,000 new vouchers. 

The president also proposed aiding another 130,000 families with vouchers funded by program reserves.