Help Leo Pay for Attorney & Rent

Hello I’m Leo Mercer and I'm in desperate need of your help to stay in my home.

I’ve been looking for a consistent job for months, since employment opportunities have been slowing down in the community, which was my main income. I’ve applied for SNAP, MediCal, and other government benefits at the time to support my disabled mother and children, and have been making massive attempts to save enough to make rent each month with what I have. The building owners changed twice since 2020, so there’s been hiccups in communication.

When the moratorium in April ended, I figured they would come for me for back rent. I informed them of my affected tenant status via COVID paperwork. Even still, there were some months I could pay, and others where I couldn’t or paid what I could according to the ledgers. In may, I attempted to pay rent via money order, but it was sent back to me with eviction papers I had 5 days to respond to.

After contacting many free law agencies, I got a hold of the eviction defense center, who is helping me with my settlement conference as part of the case. Even so, they are only so much help, and I’m not able to consult with them often, so I’ve been reaching out to law attorneys for my options.

It is now October, and the court date is set for the end of the month. I want to be able to hold them accountable by fighting the case, despite how difficult it has been living here in the first place with code enforcement issues. It’s more likely that because of the money I owe from the COVID moratorium, I have to either be able to present them some of that money in order to stay, or reach a settlement that involves them paying me to leave.

I am asking for your support raising these funds to be able to stay in my home for 13 years as well as hire an attorney to help me continue to fight to stay, or reach a settlement. Anything helps, donations, leads to a housing attorney that can council me, or a lead to a employment opportunity.

Usually I've weathered the hustle and grit to help myself stay afloat in these times. This time, I truly am in need of the communities assistance. I believe in community power and I am content with whatever the outcome is. Thank you all.