Part rant, part need advice! Please help?

[AlyssaDarling]

My boyfriend and I moved out on our own for the first time in October of last year. We were really excited to have a place so close to our jobs, several grocery stores, and bus loops, not to mention it's in our budget. Growing up, neither of us has ever had problems with bed bugs and didnt even think about asking the landlord about it.
Big mistake. We've lived here for about 10 and a half months and have had bed bugs 3 times. it takes about 1 month-2 months for anything to be done about it, and until the treatment is done we end up sleeping on our cheap futon in the living room. The last 2 treatments were stressful and this third one coming up is going to be worse because we now have 2 cats with us that we'll have to put into crates and bring with us while we're kicked out for the day.
We're currently looking for somewhere else to move to, but it's hard when we, together, make just under $20,000 a year, and I have a few credit card bills I need to pay off from dental work that I have very little coverage on as it's considered "cosmetic".(that's a whole other story that I'm also P.O. about! lol)
We waste so much money on laundry, having to throw EVERYTHING into the coin-operated laundry machines downstairs, bags to keep them in as far away from the room as possible and now that we're going to move we have to buy a new mattress and dresser!
Does anyone know if there's any moving incentives or help with this stuff financially when you're a low-income person? Apart from BC housing as I don't want to fully rely on government/tax payers.

[Lynn49]

Aw, Hon....I'm afraid I can't help you with any suggestions, although I'm sure there are many here who could...I just wanted to wish you well in your move and that I hope you find a more suitable place to call home.

[K8's Fate]

Bed bug tenant info:

While your landlord is responsible for treating a bed bug infestation, having bed bugs may not be reason enough to break your tenancy agreement and move out of your place. The City of Vancouver enforces pest control through their Standards of Maintenance Bylaw. Phone the City at 604-873-7398 if your landlord is neglecting your bedbug situation. For other municipalities, call your City Hall. It’s important that you quickly notify your landlord when you have bedbugs and cooperate with any subsequent pest control instructions. If you refuse to cooperate you could face eviction.IMPORTANT: Do not attempt to treat a bed bug problem on your own.

http://www.tenants.bc.ca/main/?bedbugs


BC Housing info:
http://www.bchousing.org/

[momof3heathens]

We had a real bad infestation of bed bugs in 2004 in our building. Took 3 times of being treated and finally throwing out everything. The salvation Army gave us new and reconditioned everything. Mind you I had 3 small children at the time so that may have made a difference.

[AlyssaDarling]

I'm sure if we had a child we'd be able to catch a break easier than we will. Or if we were in school (which we can't afford yet, not until my dental debts are settled, which'll probably take a year at least [ugh!])

[vesper]

Something to think about is to move to very high paying jobs in Saskatchewan for 2 years and save enough to buy a home there. Rig jobs can pay 300 -400 dollars a day and rent is reasonable.