One Paycheck Away.

Family's Path to Homelessness
By Barbara Duffield

When the Sjoblom family realized they might soon lose their home in Matawan, New Jersey, Diane Sjoblom found the National Coalition for the Homeless (NCH) world wide web page and sent a message requesting help. Through email, letters, and telephone conversations, NCH has reconstructed their journey into homelessness and ensuing efforts to find living wage employment to improve their situation.
Russell and Diane Sjoblom felt fortunate. As superintendent of the Balmoral Arms apartment complex, Russell received $1,375 a month plus housing for his family. Diane worked part time at K-Mart and received a small stipend for assisting Russell. They were able to make ends meet and have enough left for hobbies and even a computer for their children, Russell Jr. and Alicia.
Moving heavy objects was part of Russell's daily routine. In January Russell's brother was helping him carry a refrigerator down a stairway when Russell's legs gave out. The refrigerator crashed down the steps, flipped Russell over, and crushed his back. He was diagnosed with compression fractures in three vertebrae and severe lower-back strain. He would spend the next five months in traction.

Russell began receiving weekly worker's compensation checks for $225. Despite a skyrocketing pharmacy bill and Diane's lay-off from K-Mart, they kept up with their bills. Even when worker's compensation reached its limit in August, state disability and Diane's new part-time job at Shop-Rite filled the gap until Russell could work again.

In October Russell returned to work on light duty. Soon after, however, he reinjured his back while working on a step-ladder. This accident would completely change their lives. Russell lost his job that December, and Diane, who had quit her Shop-Rite job to help when he returned to work, lost her job assisting him, since it was considered part of a package deal. What's more, the company that owned the complex began charging monthly rent of $685, plus electricity.

Although Russell again began receiving worker's compensation, they needed more money. Diane began looking for evening work, so she could bring Russell to doctor's and therapy appointments during the day. But none of the work for which she qualified paid enough to meet their expenses.