Fighting, because flight isn't an option

The City of Oakland currently has over 4,000 people of all walks of life that are without a roof over their head. However, The City of Oakland also has over 6,000 vacant properties, which paints a big picture that the city of Oakland CAN HELP, but they CHOOSE NOT TOO. Homelessness makes money, so to choose the humane decision of housing those who need to be housed, and helping those who are at the cusp of being on the streets, wouldn’t ever seem ethical. It seems like as long as the bonuses of grants fills the pockets of those who are already fortunate, the sight of Tent-Landia isn’t so terrible.

My name is Taniesha R., and I am at all costs trying to avoid this situation. I am a single mother, who works and works hard. However like others, no matter how hard I work, I’m breathing bubbles out of my nose, because I AM NEVER ABOVE WATER. Covid truly impacted my entire life and way of living. I’ve been living in a cottage with my daughter for 6 years now. During the pandemic, my landlord made the choice to neglect the property that I live in, forcing me to contact The City of Oakland Code Enforcement, through multiple appointments of having an inspector come to my home, it was then that I was told that my living quarters, was not a permitted living space. For 6 years I have been paying $1,250 in rent, splitting all of my utilities, being treated as less than and not an equal, but having no option to move due to finances, now I have to move, as the landlord has chosen not to permit the unit, and I cannot live there anymore.

I am in a place of need like I have never been before. The thought of having to sleep in my car with my child, in these Oakland streets, puts my mind in a spiral of thought. June 5th is my move out date, and I am down. For every dollar I save, life assures that I’ll have to spend double what I saved. Between gas, a growing child, food, and the other kicks of life that require you to pull money from thin air, I am at a point where I have to push my pride to the side, and say something I don’t like saying. I NEED HELP. My move in costs are $4,000. While I have something saved, it isn’t what I need. I just landed a great job, but I won’t be able to sustain myself with this job until I receive my first full check, and that will be after I need to move out. I know that this kind of asking, is long winded and drawn out, but I have to do what I need to do, to assure if nothing else, MY CHILD has a place to call home and rest her head.

If there is any ounce you can help me with to help me complete this goal of $4,000, my heart wouldn’t be able to show the appreciation I’d truly have. If you can help with anything, even if it’s a reference to someone or a program, ANYTHING HELPS. Thank you for caring enough, to even read this.

If you’d like to help, here is how you can:

Cashapp: $tjoy0411

Venmo: @TANIESHA-RAMIREZ

Paypal: [email redacted]

Cash or Check: A mutual meet-up location can be decided upon

Thank you:

Taniesha

*If you need to contact me it can be via [email redacted] or [email redacted]