One year anniversary

One year ago I invited a family of Ukrainian war refugees to share my house. Dad, mom, two middle school age sons and a five year old daughter. I don’t know if they were able to get any of their money out of Ukraine when they fled to Poland. I don’t pry into their personal life. My house is paid off so I don’t need or even want rent income. It would just complicate my taxes.

More people use more water and more electricity so the utility bills are a little larger. They qualified for food stamps and the Oregon health plan. We share cooking and cleaning duties. We respect each other’s boundaries and have built up mutual trust.

Both dad and mom are working and the kids are in school. Like most immigrants they work hard and are assets to the community.

I figure I have saved them at least $25,000 in rent and utilities at almost no cost to me. They have enriched my life.