I live in a rent-assisted apartment, and I sincerely appreciate the fact that financial help is available for me. My rent is 30 percent of my income. With my Social Security income of $924 a month, I don’t know what I would do without that assistance.
In 2017, my Social Security income increased by three-tenths of one percent – $3.10 a month. The cost of Medicare also increased the same amount – $3.10 a month, which in effect negated that income increase. But, because of that income increase, my rent was raised $1 a month. My net income did not increase, but my rent was raised anyway.
I know that one dollar more for rent is not going to cause a hardship for me, but I would like our local governments to understand how it is for people who live in a world where every dollar has to be accounted for.
Each dollar our government spends has to be paid for by someone. I’m asking you to ensure that you spend that dollar wisely.
Sherrie Lindskog
Grand Marais
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