Help Me Breathe Again – Emergency Relocation Fund

Hi, I’m Jillina—a mom, grad student, and survivor of a housing crisis that shouldn’t be happening… and definitely shouldn’t have been allowed to go on this long.

On June 10, our ceiling collapsed after yet another flood. The first issue was in January. The second, in March—after a new landlord took over. Now we’ve flooded a third time.

But instead of fixing the cause, the landlord just replaces the ceiling tiles. There’s been no mold remediation. No repairs. Just cosmetic patchwork over a growing health hazard.

The wood above the drop ceiling is saturated, warm, and actively growing mold. It’s still dripping onto the new tiles installed on June 13. Since then, more wet spots have appeared in the bathroom and entryway. It’s systemic. It’s getting worse.

I have asthma. I have severe allergies to mold, mildew, and more. For months, I’ve relied on my nebulizer every two hours—sometimes more—especially when the air quality in Camden dips even into the “moderate” range.

And then last Friday, June 20, I went into anaphylaxis. I was rushed to the ER. I’m still recovering.

This apartment is destroying my health. I’m scared to be here. I’m scared I’ll go to sleep and not wake up. I don’t want my son to come home from work and find me like that.

We need to get out—but we can’t afford to do it alone.

I’m raising funds to cover a security deposit, moving costs, and to replace essentials I can’t safely bring with me—like our mold-contaminated couch and bedding. If I stay, I risk another emergency room visit... or worse. If I move, I can finally start to heal.

If you can help, even just a little, I’ll be forever grateful. If you can’t donate, please share this.

Thank you for helping me breathe again.

Updates:

30 June - appointment with Legal Aid

26 June - Plumber who was supposed to come out for repairs 27 June cancelled, then messaged at 10pm after I was in bed to say he'd still be there but now he didn't know when, so it could be at any point during the day from 8am to 10pm.

26 June - applied to new apartments, will wait for the answer from Legal Aid to actually start the moving process.

27 August - Lease legally ends, hopefully we won't have to continue paying rent and can use that money to move!

30 June - Asked landlord for a mutual end of the lease, he countered by asking for the name and number of the DHHS inspector.

1 July - Hired a mold/air quality test from a local company that often works with the courts.

1 July - Delivered notice to my landlord that I will be withholding rent pursuant to N.J.S.A. 2A:42-88 and the implied warranty of habitability.

1 July - Delivered notice to landlord of intent to move as per the lease I have with them which requires 60 days notice of moving, even if it is the end of the lease.