Citizen needs help finding new home

To the editor:

My name is Barbara Goble, and I am hoping someone out in the community reading this can help me. I am a 60-year-old disabled woman who is losing her house due to the actions of the person who was supposed to be my landlord. My son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren live with me because what I can't do, one of them can. My son has applied for his disability due to severe lung problems, and my daughter-in-law receives SSI due to some mental issues. I receive Social Security due to a number of health problems, the main being mobility, osteoarthritis and lymphedema. I was diagnosed with uterine cancer in November of 2010 and underwent complete hysterectomy in December 2010 as well as internal radiation.

Now that this has given some background about us, let me tell you the story involving the house. I have lived in this residence for 10 years. I have rented from the same gentleman for 12 years. On July 7 I received an eviction notice from the owner of the property. I was led to believe my landlord owned the property, but after calling the owner, I found out the house was being purchased contract for deed and that my landlord had not made a payment to the owner for three years. I have receipts dating to 2007 of paying my rent every month. I gave this guy three years of rent and he didn't make payments. I feel so betrayed and taken advantage of. I understand that I did have use of the property for those three years; however, if the "landlord" had made the payments and kept his arrangement with the owner, then I and my family would not be facing eviction.

During my contact with the owner, I stated I wanted to work with him, and he was very matter-of-fact, almost to the point of rude, stating he wanted out of the property business, he was tired of it, and even in The Courier when our house was run as a neighborhood eyesore, he stated he was going to sell it or donate it to Habitat for Humanity. He stated how he was upset with not being paid by the contract for deed purchaser for three years.

On Aug. 16 I and my son were served with a summons to appear in court for forcible entry and detainer. As I read the papers, the owner is trying to collect $900 in rent. I admit we didn't pay in July and August because we were given an eviction notice and there was no way I was going to give the gentleman who was supposed to be the landlord another $450 in July and August. I tried contacting the owner to see what we could do. We were never able to contact him or receive any contact from him, so to whom would I pay?

I have been looking for a new place, and moving is not the problem; the problem is I need someplace that is handicapped-accessible for me, and breaking up the family unit we have is something that can't be done, because we support each other. Yes, it is hard sometimes and not always perfect, but we make it.

Is there anyone who could help me and my family? I do not like asking for things or help, but I don't know where else to go or where else to turn. I just want to move on and find someplace to go or someone who can help us with a home or financing with purchasing a home, or something, anything, if it is out there to help my family.

I can be contacted at 217-671-0267 or by mail at 801 Fifth St., Lincoln, Ill.

I am not asking for a handout or a free ride. If I was, I would not have the proof of prompt payment every month of my rent. I am asking for a hand up and assistance. I thought the stress of cancer was rough, but this fear of me and my family being on the street is even more overwhelming. Thank you for reading this letter.

Sincerely,
Barbara J. Goble

[Posted August 22, 2011]