Anjelika's emergency housing costs.

Hello, I’m raising money for my girlfriend Anjelika to cover emergency housing costs.

Anjelika is a UMASS student who lives in Boston, Massachusetts and relies on scholarships and savings from part time work to pay for her housing and living expenses. She is a Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies major who wants to become a social worker post-graduation.

Since late 2020, Anjelika has grappled with homelessness and housing insecurity, for a time living with friends and sleeping on couches to get by. Additionally, Anjelika suffers from Major Depressive Disorder and Panic Disorder.

Fortunately, at the beginning of 2021, Anjelika was able to rent a room in an apartment for herself, and has paid for her room with the help of myself, her scholarship, and her work at a minimum wage job. Beginning in September, Anjelika moved into a new apartment on a 1 year lease with three girls from her school thinking it would be a good opportunity to meet people from her school, as well as move closer to school for the return to in-person classes. After 4 months in this space, it’s become clear that this was not a great fit for her. She has found herself being excluded from decisions about the apartment as well as interactions amongst the roommates since before she even moved in. This situation recently devolved into a confrontation from one of her roommates that transformed into a hostile argument between Anjelika and the housemate who confronted her.

At this point, Anjelika feels unsafe and uncomfortable in the apartment, feeling especially targeted by the hostility of her three roommates. She has made the ultimate decision to leave the apartment and is searching for whatever means necessary to separate herself from this housing situation. Unfortunately, as she is a member of the lease, the property management company requires that Anjelika find a roommate replacement for herself that the roommates agree to prior to leaving. Anjelika has found several potential replacements who fit the roommates preferences, but she has encountered difficulty gaining the approval of the roommates. At one point, one of the roommates expressed that they have no desire to tend to this in an urgent manner.

As a form of personal assurance, we are fundraising in the case that this delay in finding a replacement results in Anjelika being required to remain on the lease beyond the deadline she has already shared with the household. In the event that the roommates completely give up the search for a replacement, I have set the goal to account for 7 months of rent, until the end of August 2022, the end of Anjelika’s lease. Her monthly rent is $900, so altogether it amounts to $6,300.

Ever since the aforementioned confrontation and continued hostility from the roommates, Anjelika has suffered daily anxiety attacks and her depression has intensified. For Anjelika, this living situation has devolved into a toxic living environment and continues to negatively impact her mental health. Altogether, this situation and the long-standing impacts of her housing insecurity have only amplified her desire for a safe space.

For now, our priority remains finding a safe space for Anjelika to continue her studies for the spring semester. My reason for creating this page is just to take an extra precaution in the event that Anjelika remains a financial hostage to the apartment. Anything helps, including references to pro bono or affordable legal services if you have any! In the event that the roommates comply and Anjelika is able to leave her lease, we will return any unnecessary donations.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and possibly donating!

Dylan M.