My name is Amanda. I live in Raytown, MO at the El Dorado Apartments. I have been here about a year and a half after fleeing a domestic violence situation. It’s been up and down since I got here. At first things were okay, I was getting along with management and my neighbors. But recently things have gone down hill. 

I was in another relationship that turned violent. About two months after moving in, my partner was doing things to me that made me call the police. The property manager started getting angry… at ME. She eventually filed an eviction against me because of my abuser showing up on property. I didn’t even get summoned to court. Just last week, she let me know that I should expect the Sheriff to come by any day now to change my locks and throw me out. 

I just recently beat cancer. I am officially cancer free but I’m not free of cancer. My immune system is not up to par yet. I am at high risk of COVID and if I’m evicted, I don’t know if I’ll make it. I may meet my maker, if you know what I mean.

My roof over my head is all I’ve got. You’d think I’d be able to rejoice now that I have this new lease on life after cancer, but instead I’m afraid. I’m afraid. I have no idea what I’m going to do. I will lose everything, and potentially my life. I called the shelters, they’re full. I don’t know where I’d go. I have a voucher but a lot of landlords discriminate against voucher holders. And my voucher is in jeopardy because of this eviction. There's a risk that my abuser would find me again, and that terrifies me. 

It’s unreal to me that this manager has so much power over me. The power to decide whether I live or die, basically. It’s her personal opinion of me that will determine whether I get to keep a roof over my head. It’s just not fair, it’s not right.