Alycia's Fight Against High Rent and Hardship

Hello! I'm Alycia. I'm a nature-loving artist, photographer, and designer.

In 2018, my father had a debilitating heart attack and I dropped everything to take care of him. I was living in LA, working as a portrait photographer. Immediately I moved back home to the Bay Area.

For two years I had a good job in San Francisco, but like most Bay Area millennials, my job was taken from me when the company went under.

After the last few years, I have zero savings left and very little income from art commissions. I tried teaching art to young kids, but I kept getting sick, which isn't great when taking care of someone else.

Lately, I've been working from home doing drawing commissions and have started to get back into photography. Hopefully, I will eventually open my own studio.

However, that's increasingly difficult in the Bay Area. My father receives social security, but our rent is $3200 a month, and utilities are almost $400 a month for the two bedroom two bathroom apartment we are renting. I'd love to save to move, but it is impossible.

For years I've foregone getting any dental care because it's simply too expensive. I no longer own a vehicle. I rely on donations for art supplies and clothing. I rely on my friends and family for food.

I try to live a humble life, but sometimes it's degrading paying this much for a moldy apartment with faulty wiring, rats, and lead paint! The landlord has been sued multiple times, but I can't afford a lawyer.

Any help is appreciated.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.