Help Ruby Avoid Eviction and Stay Housed

Update: Last Tuesday, October 22nd, the judge gave Ruby an extension of time to gather the money needed to stay and she now has until November 4th, at which point she will return to the court with what money she is able to raise and see what the judge says.... We are still trying to continue to fundraise in this time! If you can share it amongst your networks, we would greatly appreciate it! We are also following up on a few leads that people who engaged with this fundraiser have suggested for potential community org resources-thank you!! We will be following up with another update once we have any news!!!

Hi, we are Jeanette and Rachael, neighbors to Ruby T., who is an elder friend that we have cultivated connections with over the past couple of years to provide support in various ways and to learn from her as our elder.

We noticed that she is alone, has no family who can help or who we can reach, and she is struggling with walking and memory issues. Recently, she lost her social security and has been trying to figure out why, and together we have not found an answer. Meanwhile, she has been unable to pay her rent since August and now she is in the process of eviction. She owes $6,000 by October 20th where our understanding is that the constable will come by within 24-48 hours (we have been told both) after that if she doesn't turn in her keys or pay her rent.

We have contacted churches, agencies who support people in our zip code, and Project Connect does not cover this address. All resources are at capacity or very minimal (although we may be able to combine with anything raised here). We have reached out to Family Eldercare and the Austin Area Agency on Aging and they have said they are also at capacity and have no programs or resources for housing and sent us back to the Catholic Charities.

We are now seeking community support and looking to see if mutual aid could help to keep her housed until she can get her social security figured out to be able to either stay here or find another apartment (the social security office is telling Ruby that she should get her checks again in November). If you can, please contribute to this lively and lovely person, Ruby T. And please forward this to others!