Support Stability Amidst Housing Crisis

Hello, dear friend,

I hope this message finds you well. I’m writing to you under unfortunate circumstances.

For over two years, I’ve been battling through courts and legal issues to keep the apartment where I’ve been living in Brooklyn. In August 2022, I rented a room to a man I found through Craigslist. He had good references and a stable job, so I decided to rent the room to him. However, after three months of paying rent promptly, he came to me with the excuse that he had been fired from his job. Having been in a similar situation before, I agreed to let him stay for a few more months on the condition that he would pay the rent once he found a new job.

Despite his promises, after several more months of dealing with him, I asked him to leave. This situation began in November 2022 and continued until May 2023. In May, I asked him to vacate the room, but he provided numerous excuses. By July 2023, I made it clear that he needed to leave because I could no longer afford to cover his part of the rent. Shortly after, he called the police and falsely claimed that I had assaulted him. After spending three days in jail and fighting through legal battles, the case was dismissed. Throughout this ordeal, I had to allow him to continue living in my home.

During this process, I learned about the squatter rights in New York, which led me to pursue legal action through housing court to try to keep my home. Unfortunately, the case was dismissed because I was representing myself and didn’t describe the room accurately. Meanwhile, the landlord sued me for eviction due to the unpaid rent. I found myself back in court, dealing with lawyers, judges, anxiety, and depression.

Many people have asked me why I don’t just move. While I’ve considered this, the cost of rent has doubled since I first moved in eight years ago, and the requirements for renting have become much stricter. It’s not just about security deposits and rent; references, credit and past evictions are now major factors. The constant stress, combined with the smell of cigarette and unpleasant conditions from the squatter’s room, has exacerbated my anxiety and depression. I even lost my job, which has made it even harder to focus on finding a new place. Who can stay focused when they nest is about to fall from the tree?

On August 12, 2024, this person called the police again, this time because the landlord had decided to sue him. He falsely claimed that I threatened him, leading to my arrest in my own living room. I was under extreme stress and, in my desperation, screamed for help in my native language. If you’ve ever watched The Shining by Stanley Kubrick, you might have an idea of what it’s like to experience a nightmare in a place completely flooded with light, where there isn’t a single corner to rest or feel warm. The pervasive smell of urine, possibly lingering for days, is the only sensory input you can perceive. After a long and solitary journey through this environment, the only solace you might find is in the company of twelve complete strangers in the same small cell.

"After everything I've been through, I find myself in the position of having to leave my apartment, leaving all my belongings behind. Over the past four months, my stability has deteriorated. I've had to rely on my small savings and credit cards just to get by. I've been staying at friends' houses and on couches during this time, living paycheck to paycheck with the part-time job I have. It’s hard for me to ask for help, but right now, it’s my only option. Please understand that this decision hasn’t been easy for me, and I’ve given it a lot of thought. I ask for your compassion, not judgment. The universe knows that I’ve been trying my hardest."