The Situation:
At the end of 2024, the manager of the job I was working found out I was transgender. The literal next day, my hours were cut for "performance", and within the week I no longer had a job.
Since then I've been scrambling to find a place, since I can no longer afford rent at my current place, and last week I finally found a space with two other roommates. The problem is that since my income is nonexistent, the only way the lease will accept me is if I pay 3 months worth of rent in the first month. So here I am. And yes, once that is all covered I will be looking into contacting lawyers.
Breakdown of expenses:
- $800 for the rest of rent at my current place
- $1700 due on movein for the new place
- $500 in aid already received from close friends
- $2000 needed in total needed, assuming no other sources of income
I am also being charged an early termination fee of about $1800 (minus my deposit) for breaking the lease early for my current place, but am honestly just planning on letting that go to collections at the end of February. That being said, everything helps right now.
Why I'll be okay after this:
- I already applied for unemployment at the start of January, which takes 4-6 weeks to process. Once accepted, every week for January will get backpaid; just, well after I need it. This will help with rent for the months after
- Speaking of which; since this is what they are asking for upfront, the rent for the remaining months will be significantly lower. To be exact: $1k for March and April, $600 for May, and $0 for June and July (since I am being asked to pay for the last 2 months of rent and a security deposit upfront, albeit on a payment plan)
- The place I am moving to is 10 minutes from a downtown area, so I should be able to find a new job relatively quickly once I relocate.
- I'll be living with other queer roommates, who will be able to help with finding resources to rebuild my life back up again
What happens if funding fails?
Basically, I'll be couch surfing and living out of my car. I won't be on-the-streets homeless, but regardless of what happens, I can no longer afford to live where I am after unfairly losing my job. I already have a storage unit rented and am moving things into it, and need to be out of my current unit by the end of January regardless of what happens.
If you choose to help, thank you. Everything helps. If you can't, I will still have options, they just honestly won't be great options.