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In 2011, I helped my mother purchase a house across the street from mine in New Orleans. I didn't realize at the time that my mom was beginning to develop Alzheimer's disease and would be unable to pay me back a lump sum due to mismanaging her own savings. I've spent the ensuing years scrambling to make a living at various freelance pursuits while caring for her, and even with my partner Grey's help, it has been precarious.
We finally got my mom into a good nursing home last fall, but she hadn't taken care of the house or allowed me to do so, and it is now unlivable. In addition, the nursing home is now taking her entire Social Security and retirement income, so she is now unable to repay me anything. Our rent is $1100 per month, which is a good price for New Orleans, but we still live in constant fear of being priced out of the city.
Grey and I are hoping to restore the house and move in. It's big enough for both of us to live and work there, and it's paid for free and clear. With the huge expense of rent gone, we could save a lot of money. Unfortunately, we have no hope of coming up with the front expenses:
- Hazmat-level cleaning. There is dog waste and human waste in the house as well as loads of other accumulated junk and filth. Grey has a compromised immune system due to HIV, so we really need an extreme cleaning. The best estimate I've gotten for this is $5000.
- Property taxes. She owes $900, which is well overdue.
- A minimum of electrical and plumbing work. We don't need it to be perfect, but right now there's no hot water and only about half the wiring works.
- A stove. There wasn't one when my mom moved in, and we never installed one because I was doing all her cooking.
- Back bills. We are currently two months behind on our rent, and our landlord has been so patient that I'm not willing to leave him in the lurch. We also need to catch up on the house utilities before they get cut off.
- Moving expenses. We can do some of it ourselves, but with neither of us being in great health, we'll need to hire movers for our large/heavy items.
We have stayed afloat through years of poverty, but I'm tired and really starting to have trouble treading water. I'm also just beginning to write again after nearly a decade of involuntary silence, and I'd love to have the breathing room to do more of it. This house would allow me that room.
Thanks so much for reading.
Love,
Poppy Z. Brite / Billy Martin
We finally got my mom into a good nursing home last fall, but she hadn't taken care of the house or allowed me to do so, and it is now unlivable. In addition, the nursing home is now taking her entire Social Security and retirement income, so she is now unable to repay me anything. Our rent is $1100 per month, which is a good price for New Orleans, but we still live in constant fear of being priced out of the city.
Grey and I are hoping to restore the house and move in. It's big enough for both of us to live and work there, and it's paid for free and clear. With the huge expense of rent gone, we could save a lot of money. Unfortunately, we have no hope of coming up with the front expenses:
- Hazmat-level cleaning. There is dog waste and human waste in the house as well as loads of other accumulated junk and filth. Grey has a compromised immune system due to HIV, so we really need an extreme cleaning. The best estimate I've gotten for this is $5000.
- Property taxes. She owes $900, which is well overdue.
- A minimum of electrical and plumbing work. We don't need it to be perfect, but right now there's no hot water and only about half the wiring works.
- A stove. There wasn't one when my mom moved in, and we never installed one because I was doing all her cooking.
- Back bills. We are currently two months behind on our rent, and our landlord has been so patient that I'm not willing to leave him in the lurch. We also need to catch up on the house utilities before they get cut off.
- Moving expenses. We can do some of it ourselves, but with neither of us being in great health, we'll need to hire movers for our large/heavy items.
We have stayed afloat through years of poverty, but I'm tired and really starting to have trouble treading water. I'm also just beginning to write again after nearly a decade of involuntary silence, and I'd love to have the breathing room to do more of it. This house would allow me that room.
Thanks so much for reading.
Love,
Poppy Z. Brite / Billy Martin
Organizer
Billy Martin
Organizer
New Orleans, LA
