My name is Shadavious Billings. My family and friends call me Dee Dee. I am a single mother of eight children, and I have one disabled son who is on the autism spectrum. My children and I are currently being displaced due to the poor management and lack of care of our past and current landlords. The deadline given by our landlord has passed for us to move out, and I do not have enough income to access a safe and affordable home without the help of securing a deposit and application fees. The cost of living has increased tremendously in the City of Charlotte and surrounding areas as the city continues to grow. My expected deposit is from anywhere between $2,200 & $2,600 with application fees as high as $75 per adult. I will also have to pay for the moving expenses which creates a barrier being that I’m on a fixed income.

With the help of my two 19-year-old twins, I will be able to maintain my bills if given an opportunity and with assistance. I am also an SSI recipient due to past trauma from my childhood and early adulthood years. I have been very independent and prideful in my past and have had a very hard time asking for help at times, but I can no longer continue to pretend that I am okay and that I will figure it out all on my own. So I started this GoFundMe in hopes that someone will read my story and offer any help that they can offer.

As the holidays approach, I am feeling the pressure of trying to make my children happy by being able to provide them with a safe, warm, and functioning home. To me, it’s not about the holiday spirit but the holy spirit of God’s love and grace.