Well I had a brief glimpse of hope that I would soon have a decent place to
live, thanks to the USDA's Rural Development housing loan program, which
provides low-interest loans for low-income people for 100% of the selling
price of a home. I applied and got prequalified for up to $55k (assuming
social security does not cut off my income; I am still waiting for their
answer on that), and there are a few homes for sale in this area in that
price range.

In fact I found one that was almost ideal. It was built in 1990 and came
with THREE good-sized outbuildings, two wells, three a/c units, a
wrap-around deck, all new appliances (fridge, stove, washer/dryer) a nice
woodburning heat stove, and even a riding mower for the acre it sits on, all
for $39k asking price, just two miles out of town and far enough from
traffic for the cats to be safe.

Meanwhile, the acreage that I bought with my ex back in '99 and deeded over
to his daughter (who had lent us part of the funds to pay for it), finally
sold. I had signed it over to her because her dad had left me without the
means to build on it and I could not keep up the payments while
simultaneously paying rent. I had around $12k in equity and was counting on
getting some of that back when it sold. Well, the deal closed a few weeks
ago, and she hasn't sent me a dime or said she will be sending me anything,
so it looks like she intends to keep it all for herself.

This would not be an insurmountable problem if not for the fact that I just
learned from the Rural Dev. office that I will have to at least cover the
closing costs on the loan, which could be as high as $2500 due to all the
inspections required by this program. Also, my Toyota van needs a timing
chain, which will cost around $600 for parts and labor.

Now the house described above has been sold also, but not to me. Deals like
that are few and far between. I haven't got my own appliances so if I do
manage to buy a place I will probably also have to buy at least the fridge
and stove. I have never owned a washer/dryer in my life. It sure would have
been nice to have those!

So anyway I am back to Square One, looking at moving into a tent in the
forest. At least that way I can still be with the cats.