Bedbug infestation destroying home of trans&disabled people

A bedbug infestation in our squat, is putting all of us at risk of homelessness again.

This building is a lifeline for trans & disabled people in the community and has been for years now. For most of us, this is the first ‘stable’ housing we have ever had, and has allowed us to escape dangerous and precarious living situations.

All our efforts to deal with the situation have failed - we have had to get rid of all of our furniture as bugs have been crawling around our sofas, mattresses etc. Many of us have thrown away the majority of our clothes trying to nip the problem in the bud. We’ve also regularly applied diatomaceous earth, everywhere around the house, but still the infestation has taken over.

Multiple residents have physical disabilities (including anaemia and mobility issues) and have resorted to sofa surfing to avoid hospitalisation, putting strain on their relationships and physical health.

We have attempted to be self reliant, but now have no choice but to reach out to the community to help us afford the items to solve the problem once and for all. Unfortunately, pooling our own limited funds together will not be enough to solve this.

We will use the funds raised for the following:

1. A bed bug specialised steam cleaner

2. Insecticide

3. Bin bags (for securing fabrics from bugs)

4. 60L-80L Plastic Boxes for each room (to secure belongings from bugs)

5. Plaster (for filling large cracks/holes throughout interior)

6. Bed Bug Mattress Protectors for every room

7. Dust sprayer (For diatomaceous earth)

8. Replace purged Furniture/bedding

The cost of this is overwhelming. Most of us are working class/living on benefits and do not have stable income. We do not have the collective ability to face such a huge cost ourselves. Any contribution you can make is greatly appreciated :3

Many of you are aware of the ever-rising violence towards our community, and we only ask for financial help out of desperation. We want to keep being a centre of support for trans individuals that we have fought so hard to protect.

We will likely have bed bugs nesting in various parts of the walls (cracks between skirting boards, plug sockets etc). To deal with this, we will need to take a complex variety of measures to destroy the infestation. This is why we need instruments like a steam cleaner, and more expensive insecticides. We are not able to hire an exterminator due to the nature of the building, so we are forced to do this ourselves. The fundraiser may not end up covering the whole cost of an independent extermination.

Our safety & health depends on saving our home. Living here has been life saving, giving us all a chance to build a future for ourselves that we thought we could never have. Please help us with any money that you can spare, or simply by sharing the go-fund-me.

Once the infestation is sorted, we will be sharing any reusable equipment with the community. This donation will save us & spread far across our community in months to come. Please let us help our home back xox

Luv and Estrogen from:

Tranny Squatters Anonymous <3