People facing evictions fight for their lives

Latest


 
MILPITAS, CA. — The situation of my family is critical. The company where my husband worked went out of business due to the pandemic. My mom is too old to work, my sister has cancer, and I have a broken foot. We have not been able to pay rent for four months and we owe the owner over $10,000.
The County has an eviction moratorium, so we are still in our home. But the moratorium expires on August 31, and we have no idea where we will get money to pay the back rent. The landlady comes by every other week to pressure us to give her money. But if we don’t have any, there is nothing we can do about it. My husband has not been able to find work during the pandemic. His unemployment benefit goes for food, clothing, and bills.
We are still lucky compared to many other families in the neighborhood. I have information about our rights and about resources that are available. Many families have no money and do not understand their rights regarding immigration or landlord reprisals. Some have already left the area. I saw one family evicted by a landlord who just threw their furniture in a dumpster.
The situation is so stressful. The children are traumatized. Some live with their whole family in just one room. They don’t know if they will have a roof over their heads. Milpitas is next to San Jose, but many of the San Jose agencies do not help people from Milpitas because they say we are a different city. We are all human beings. We all need housing, food, and jobs.
We are organizing tenants to testify at public hearings about canceling the rent. The most important thing is to explain to people that they have rights. Housing is a human right, not a privilege. A lot of government leaders make a lot of promises, but so far we have not seen the action we need. What will happen to us? We don’t know, but we will continue to fight for our rights.

+ Articles by this author

Free to republish but please credit the People's Tribune. Visit us at www.peoplestribune.org, email peoplestribune@gmail.com, or call 773-486-3551.

The People’s Tribune brings you articles written by individuals or organizations, along with our own reporting. Bylined articles reflect the views of the authors. Unsigned articles reflect the views of the editorial board. Please credit the source when sharing: ©2024 peoplestribune.org. Please donate to help us keep bringing you voices of the movement. Click here. We’re all volunteer, no paid staff.

1 COMMENT

  1. The moratorium on rent will soon be over and I cannot even guess how many families will be effected with many becoming homeless. You cannot turn away from this,you may become one of these people. There are many actions that are happening all over the country where renters are getting together and fighting back against eviction. Please find one and rake part in one of the biggest rent strikes that this country has ever seen.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Featured

Emmy-Winning Journalist Deported After Reporting on Anti-Trump Protest

Emmy award-winning journalist Mario Guevara was deported to El Salvador – a country he fled over 20 years ago — in retaliation for filming law enforcement activities, says the Committee to Protect Journalists.

A Salute to Chicagoans Fighting ICE

A salute to Chicagoans fighting ICE and to the food delivery worker on a bicycle who outrode ICE agents after they tried to kidnap him on the streets of downtown Chicago.

Over 60 Lawmakers Launch Investigation Into Trump Administration’s Disappearances

Some Democrats in Congress have announced they are investigating the Trump administration’s practice of disappearing immigrants to other countries.

America Cannot Afford This Dangerous Step

Americans should be chilled at government's recent designation of “Antifa” as a domestic terrorist organization (it isn't an organization). This allows for the criminalization of broad swaths of dissent, and won't stop with "Antifa."

America is Divided—But it’s the Wrong Divide

The real divide is between those who have and those who don't. We have the abundance to care for everyone and government must see to it that people's needs are met.

More from the People's Tribune