Story

My son and I have been homeless for over 6 years at no fault of our own.

Our homelessness began over 6 years ago when myself, my husband, my youngest son, and my father were wrongfully evicted. We had lived in our home 3 1/2 years when we received a 3 day notice or quit on our front door one day. Our rent was always paid before the 1st of the month, $800, the notice had odd dollar figures that didn’t make sense. I called incessantly to no avail to the property management company that we paid our rent to. A few days later, some men showed up with the Property management manager and changed all of the locks in the house.

I was my 85 year old father’s live-in caregiver. We were thrown out on the street, we stayed at a local motel for approximately a month. Two days after being illegally evicted I found out from the owner that they fired the property management company because they caught him embezzling. I sought counsel and was advised to save every receipt because we would be compensated for pain and suffering as well. The attorney also knew of the property management company due to having prior litigation with him.

The day I was to meet with the attorney to proceed with the litigation, my husband was shot and killed. May 29th has been over 6 years ago that he died. Needless to say, I missed the appointment.

Soon after my father’s health started diminishing. He passed away 3 years ago last June 17th.

I have gone through pretty much all of the county, state, and local agencies for help, to no avail. I have put my name on dozens and dozens of waiting lists, only to find out that my name wasn’t on the list. Most waiting lists have a 3-5 year wait.

I am a 65 year old woman with a heart condition and a pacemaker. I worked hard for over 44 years, paid my taxes, tried to help people if I knew that needed it.

My son and I are at our wits end. We have no place to lay down,

No place to cook a meal,

No electricity,

No car, nothing.

We will not be in a shelter, we need our own home.

I receive social security retirement money $1,052 per month. The rents around here are $1,500 + if you can find an available place.

We are extremely desperate, we don’t want to die out here. My health can’t take much more.

I’m sorry I am embarrassed to say all of this, but I don’t know what to do anymore.

We need a home to be safe and sound in.