Rental Assistance For Neighbors Being Evicted
Right now, in Davenport, several dozen households are facing mass eviction. At the beginning of July, the tenants of the E 35th St Townhouses were notified that the property they lived at had been sold and the new owners would not be renewing their leases. They were able to receive a 30-day extension, giving them until the 31st of August to vacate. But this still only gives them Six weeks (as of July 20th) to find a new place to live and gather the money for deposits, fees, and the first couple months of rent.
I attended a vigil the tenants held on July 7th and was able to speak to several people who lived there. Many of them are out of work due to the pandemic and are on section 8 housing vouchers. Many of these households are families, with children and/or disabled adults present. These good folks do not have anywhere to go, and risk becoming homeless during the hottest time of the year.
Here are a few of the situations the tenants are facing. (I'm working to get more pictures and statements from tenants)
Davenport Bearing Witness on Situation
Septima Hoskins
"Hello, my name is Septima Hoskins, me and my daughter reside on 35th st in Davenport. I have been residing here for would be 2 years in September but unfortunately, I was asked to relocate due to my property owner selling and the new owners wanting to touch up the place and raise the rent. As we all know the pandemic was detrimental to almost everyone and everything, I was unfortunate to lose my job and have been on unemployment since. I am actively job seeking and have not had any luck as of yet, when I do find employment I will still have to try and pay my current bills and save to move, in a perfect world that sounds like the ideal plan, well for me it’s not the new owners have asked us to leave in less than 45 days and while looking for a new home I can see there is not a lot of affordable housing in this area.
I have through the pandemic lost my sister, job and now I’m about to lose my home, my mother recently got diagnosed with breast cancer, so the timing of it all is starting to weigh heavy on me, I just want to find a new home and to get my life back on track."
Veronica Butler
"Hello, my name is Veronica Butler and I have been residing on 35th street for 6 years. My husband is a disabled veteran and my daughter is also disabled. I have just now started back to work and I don't have money or help to move. I also take care of my aunt and this entire move has been so stressful on my family."
Arsenal properties on why they bought out E 35th street.
That's why, after having spoken with a few of the tenants, we agreed to set up a gofundme for the people affected. All the money raised will go to the families facing eviction help to pay for deposits, miscellaneous fees, and rent for future housing after they are forced to leave. We are hoping to have at least $750 per household, and we are working with about 45 households. We are working to contact other households who are facing the eviction and will disperse the money evenly to any affected family that wants it.
That's why were have set the goal to raise $50,000. $750 x 45 families (as of right now) = $33,750. We hope to raise the $50,000 with the hopes of being able to disperse it to other households yet to be contacted and/or cover any other fees the tenants we are already working with might find (Such as applications fees). We hope to be able to provide more than just $750 per family. before the end of August, though
