Mayer Family Emergency Move Fund

I turned 40 on Monday.  My oldest just turned 12 years old, and my youngest is about to turn age 10.  And we are being kicked out of our home of nearly five years on Easter weekend.  Our apartment complex was purchased, and the new owner gave us 20 days to vacate or be taken to court with an eviction.  I was assured that we weren't being accused of anything wrong, it's just that they were going to kick everyone out, and I just happened to be the part of the first wave.  When I called, I told the lawyer I was speaking to that I was disabled and I also have a disabled son, and the only other thing the man said was that we could take an extra day, Sunday the 5th.  

We do want to be out of here as well, my tenancy here hasn't been very great at all due to many apartment malfuctions and previous management.  However, to find out that after we've been living somewhere for five years, to be told with no warning whatsoever that we have 20 days to find a home, uproot the kids possibly from their schools and neighborhood, to come up with first, last and deposits and apartment/housing rental application fees seems very wrong. 30 Days notice at least should be minimum, if not more.  The previous owner had been trying to sell for awhile, and put us all through inspection after inspection in addition to the tours given to prospective buyers, where we sacrificed time and our privacy, were told to keep our mouths shut about the apartments and they even bribed several families into a Sizzler dinner away from their apartments so the realtor could show them and no one would tell them about the place (or possibly the management).  Seems like someone could have maybe taken a moment to let us prepare to move out! 

A little bit about us:  I'm Cherrie, I'm turning 40, as I wrote.  I had an accident four years ago (actually, the anniversary is also the beginning of April) where I tripped over a curb carrying a box and twisted my leg backwards, causing permenant damage that has left me disabled.  My oldest, Deideric, is 12 years old just turned, and is an amazingly bright kid who is on the autism spectrum.  My youngest, Gavin, is nearly 10, and he's energetic, charming, and brilliant.  Gavin grew up for half his life in this place, so this is hardest on him out of all of us.  

I wasn't fond of the idea of doing a gofundme, to be honest, because I felt like I should be able to handle this, financially and otherwise.  The last time we moved was before my accident, when I was "able bodied" and able to handle the details, even though I didn't handle them as well as I would like to think -- we bounced around from place to place for about five years prior to landing at this apartment, sometimes crashing on people's floors,  sleeping in a fifth wheel for one winter, and just before we got here, we spent 8 months in a  homeless shelter.  So even though this apartment has been a fairly uncomfortable experience (faulty plumbing, leaks, lack of a shower/bath for a month,  having our washer and dryer removed in some form of retaliation,  even cockroaches at one point).  I hate thinking that the kids are probably scared we are going back to bouncing around again.  I hate thinking about the fact that it scares me, too.   I refuse to let the kids down again, or myself.  I hated the experience of homelessness enough that it took me several years to not have anxiety over the thought of it.  

So while I didn't want to do this, after doing the math, the cost of first month,  possible last month and deposits was possibly going to cost more than I get paid for a whole month.   And I have no clue if I'll have a deposit with the PUD just for moving service.  So, I'm talked into this possible route of raising money for what is an emergency type of situation for us. 

I am on HUD, and the good news is that they did give me permission for the first time to get a house/apartment larger than a two bedroom, should I find one within the rent restrictions.  My boys have never ever had their own rooms apart from each other. Unfortunately, I think I've only located ONE possible place within those guidelines and it very well might not be the right one.  I can't even apply for it until I get paid, since the fee for a credit check with a rental runs around $40, and I'm down to my last less-than-a-dollar, time to eat ramen time of the month.  I also believe this is part of the silver lining involved in this sudden change-- we could do much better than the place we are in now.   We just have to be able to get through the next week the best we can.  

Best case scenario as far as what I figure would have to happen, is that I'd have to apply for a place, which I think can take around 24 hours, and if approved have paperwork filled out by them, which I have to return to Housing to be completed, then an inspection has to take place, then I have to come up with the money to get in (might even have to come up with it before that, I'm honestly not sure).  We do have a cat which increases the cost, but this cat is part of our family, the amount of theraputic value he's had on my kids, especially my oldest, has been phenomenal.  My kids are already upset by all of this, and I couldn't take their pet away-- honestly, I'd feel horrible too we were forced to rehome him.  

I hope this explains our plight well enough, and if anyone has any questions please let me know, and I'll try to answer everything as completely as I can.  I did post a photo of the 20 day notice (complete with my FABULOUS  and obvious talent for blacking out personal information) for you all to see, and will post some family photos as well.  

Here's my oldest on his birthday at the beginning of this month: 



And here is my youngest with the cat:


and this is me (last summer):


Thank you!