A DOMESTIC violence victim has revealed she almost lost everything after a lifesaving financial program came to an end.
A woman was able to move to Oklahoma and escape her abuser thanks to a domestic abuse program, but once her grant ran out, she was days away from facing eviction.
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The victim, who was referred to as Ms. Martin by local ABC affiliate KTUL, worked with Domestic Violence Intervention Services (DVIS) where she received grants for her rent and utility payments after moving to the state.
The company is known for helping domestic violence victims who are at risk for homelessness.
The goal was for her to be able to get on her feet so she wouldn’t need the program anymore.
However, after joining DVIS she encountered major health issues that ruined her plans.
“My Lupus took a big toll on me. I was in and out of hospitals, so I started to travel as a nurse. In every hospital I work in I ended up being a patient. I was on the ventilator for 14 days,” Martin told the station.
“I could not walk. Move my hands. I couldn’t even use the bathroom on my own.”
The former travel nurse revealed that she used to make thousands of dollars a month, but now only receives $1,000 from disability.
Due to her ongoing health issues, Martin has not been able to work since December 2023.
However, with her funds from the program exhausted since February, she has been forced to fend for herself and has gotten into serious trouble with her apartment because of it.
“I had a $50 outstanding fee in January from them that did not get paid. Well, my apartment complex is taking me to court for $50 plus a $50 late fee plus a $7 late fee,” said Martin.
She was told that she needed to pay the amount by Thursday or she would be evicted from her home.
With nowhere to turn, she would have been forced to move back to her old neighborhood, down the street from her abusive ex-partner.
The CEO of DVIS told the station that even though Martin’s original financial plan ended last month, a donor reached out and extended it until the end of March.
“If there are circumstances like that, it can be really difficult, because we just don’t have an endless amount of money to continue to pay rent,” said Domestic Violence Intervention Services CEO, Tracey Lyall.
“We have to rely on the residents to begin to think about their own ways to get an income so that they can afford to live on their own and maintain their housing.”
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Another anonymous donor paid her $112.50 bill that covered Martin’s late fees, water, and sewage bill that would have gotten Ms. Martin evicted.
Thanks to the kindness of the donor, Martin is looking to move out of her home and into senior citizen housing, something she could not have done if she had been evicted.
This is following a man who is currently facing eviction from his home after building a wheelchair ramp for his ill wife.
“My mind is racing. I don’t know what to do. I don’t need this hassle, you know,” George Frigon told local ABC affiliate WCVB.
He told the station that this was a necessity for his wife Phyllis due to her aggressive brain cancer treatments.
“If I didn’t have the ramp, I would have to call the rescue squad, which I’ve had to do already because I took her [Phyllis] out, and she fell getting in the car,” Frigon explained.
The couple received a notice stating that they had 30 days to leave the property.
It said that the Frigons “…have constructed an unapproved structure (i.e. a ramp) on the site in Violation of Rule 15d” of the Rules and Regulations of the Park at Pocasset.
When asked if he was worried about his eviction he admitted he had other concerns.
“I’m more worried about where we’re going here with my wife and getting her squared away and making her feel safe. She doesn’t need this. She doesn’t need some guy trying to throw her out of her house,” he replied.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 or chat at thehotline.org.
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