Urgent Help Needed for Safe Living Conditions

I need a new place to live, as soon as possible.

I was my mom's caregiver for almost ten years. She passed away recently, and the house we shared is not a safe or comfortable dwelling.

As I write this intro, it is a sweltering 90 degrees inside because our air conditioner can't keep up with the brutal heat of the Florida summer. In the middle of the day, when it's needed most, it shuts off and has to be manually reset after the sun starts to set.

Raccoons have destroyed our already aged roof, tearing out chunks of soffit and ripping up insulation. This, as you might imagine, does not help the AC situation. the yard is grossly overgrown, and I have physical limitations that prevent me from being able to handle it by myself. I can’t afford a yard service. I haven't seen my backyard in years. There's a slab leak that prevents us from keeping water running regularly. We have to turn water on and off at the main in order to flush toilets or shower. Despite being as conservative as possible with resources, the bills are astronomical, and I need out. Now.

My mom was a good, smart, caring person until COVID began her downfall. She spiraled into deep depression after being forced into retirement. That spiral brought out the worst of anxiety, depression, and executive dysfunction in both of us, and we did our best just to keep our noses above water with her pittance of SSI and my limited income. Our best was never good enough, and the house fell into terrible disrepair. Still, as my mother aged and declined in her health, we stayed because where else could we go? She didn't want to leave it behind, refused, declared that she wanted to die in this house, and... well, she did. Abruptly. On June 21, 2025, she had a good day, a good week, and died of a heart attack in my arms. She left behind her struggles and worries, but she left behind a daughter and grandson that loved her deeply. This devastating loss also took away 40% of our household income.

I sacrificed so much to help keep her going, and now I need the help of the public internet to keep my own self going. My kid and my cat need me, and I want to provide for them, but I can't do it alone.

I plan to keep working as many hours as I can in my current job while taking on a second job to save money for more permanent housing. This is going to physically break me and take valuable time from what family I have left. But needs must. No one should have to be in this predicament, but here I am.

With the funds raised from this campaign, I can move us out of this house and into a safe dwelling that stays within the school district, my kid can finish out his high school career in the school he loves. We can live in a space that has reliable, affordable utilities.

Thank you for taking the time to read. If you can, give. If you can’t, share. Please. Every little bit helps.