Middle School Educator Priced Out: Help Me Stay Housed
Be the first to donate
Inspire others and help Darris build momentum.
1st donor
THE IMMEDIATE CRISIS
Hi, my name is Darris, and I am facing immediate homelessness. For the past 3 years, I have lived in my apartment complex, always paying my rent on time, taking care of my space, and being good neighbors. Last month, my life was turned upside down due to my building being purchased by a corporate private equity firm. Without any improvements to our living conditions, they immediately issued a 100% rent increase (from $1,500 per month to $3,000 per month), pricing us—and many of our neighbors—completely out of our home.
THE IMPACT: THE MIDDLE SCHOOL EDUCATOR VS. CORPORATE GREED
Doubling my rent all at once is a staggering 100% increase. As a public school educator at a public middle school in San Francisco, I have dedicated my career to investing in our community’s children and serving our local schools. It is a heartbreaking reality that despite working hard every single day in public service, my salary simply cannot absorb an extra $1,500 every month.
This extreme hike is a calculated move by a corporate landlord to force out long-term tenants. Because our local rental market has been heavily inflated by these corporate practices, finding a new, affordable place near the schools I serve is an impossible hurdle without emergency savings.
THE FINANCIAL BREAKDOWN
Asking for help like this is incredibly difficult, especially as someone used to looking out for others. But my lease ends on 9/9, and I am facing the very real threat of having nowhere to go. Every single dollar raised from this campaign will go directly toward preventing homelessness and keeping me stably housed. Here is exactly how the funds will be used:
- $1,500 – First month’s rent at an affordable, stable apartment.
- $1,500 – Move-in security deposit.
- $350 – Emergency moving truck rental and short-term storage costs.
- $300 – Emergency motel lodging if there is a gap between move-out and move-in dates.
Total Target Goal: $3,650
If we happen to raise anything above this goal, it will be strictly used to cover GoFundMe's transaction fees and help establish a small safety net as I transition into a more stable living situation.
CALL TO ACTION & GRATITUDE
If you are unable to donate, please consider sharing this link with your friends, family, or fellow educators. Spreading the word means just as much to me as a financial contribution. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for standing by me, just as I strive to stand by the students in our community every day.
Organizer
