I am reaching out for help after facing landlord retaliation and unsafe living conditions that have left me and my 6-year-old daughter on the verge of homelessness. My landlord rented me a property that was never legally allowed to be rented, refused to provide mail services and potable water, and ignored serious issues like wasp and spider infestations, structural problems, and a leaking ceiling. When I reported these problems, he hired an attorney who screamed at me and refused to address any of the concerns. In retaliation, my landlord illegally terminated my lease instead of fixing the issues.

I turned to the county for help, hoping they would offer support or relocation assistance. Instead, they determined the property was uninhabitable and ordered me to leave immediately, without providing any shelter or resources. I was recently injured on the property, fracturing my ribs after falling on logs my landlord placed in the yard. With no family to turn to—my mother passed away in 2012 and my father was deported—I am facing this crisis alone. I spent my last savings fixing my car and now have no funds to cover the costs of moving or hiring an attorney to fight the retaliation.

I am severely depressed and struggling to find hope, but I am asking for the good faith and compassion of others to help me and my daughter find a safe place to live and get legal assistance to recover the rent I paid for an illegal dwelling. The county has confirmed there was never a Certificate of Occupancy, and their only solution is to force us out onto the street. If you have ever been treated badly, please show your support and help us in this time of need so we can have a safe place to call home.