I’m fundraising for my long distance partner Olive.

……

Hi, I'm Olive. I'm a disabled lesbian with significant support needs struggling with my mental health and currently living in a mould infested home with poor ventilation in the garage level of my building which now has water infiltration.

I live with my mother, sister and our cats. My mother is in her 60s working a full time job as well as a part time jobs cleaning our building for rent and others to pay our bills as I’m unemployed and unable to work. We didn't plan to stay here long but we've been living here for 9 years since we could never afford to move out, we've always struggled financially but gentrification has made our lives way more difficult.

There have been health problems arising from this: the mould has been affecting our lungs, skin and eyes. I keep getting infections and I currently have a fungal ear infection that started several months ago; my mother had to work overtime in order to afford the doctor visits.

My sister is also asthmatic and I worry about the effects this mould-ridden home will have on my cats’ health; we aren’t allowed to open any windows so they never go outside and breathe fresh air. They’re stuck inside with me breathing spores every day. I already lost my oldest beloved cat due to respiratory issues caused by the mould.

I am afraid that the longer I stay the severity of the situation will worsen for my family, my cats and I. The detrimental quality of life has affected my mental health significantly.

Due to gentrification, we lack the resources needed to move out of this space.

I truly hate asking for help which is why I hadn't done it until this point but it just keeps getting worse and I can't keep living in these conditions on top of fear of eviction so any help will be greatly appreciated from the bottom of my heart. Thank you.

~ Olive