CW: Ableism & Poverty
In Lott, TX multiple disabled people and their families are suing the Lott Housing Authority. “I spent 30 days crying because that’s my mom — every night I cried, every night,” said Courtney Johnson, the daughter of a former Lott Housing Authority resident. According to Johnson, her 60-year-old mother lived there for more than ten years before receiving an eviction notice.
“Mental health issues” was one of the reasons given included in the notice of termination paperwork. “On the way home I cried — I had to stop a couple times just to get myself together,” Johnson told the reporter.
Adelia Martinez is another one of many former residents suing the housing authority over discrimination, retaliation and unreasonable violations. Martinez says that she went without air conditioning for more than a month this summer. That’s where it all started, 37 days without AC and we’re in the triple digits in August. I called in for a work order, I waited seven days… nothing. I waited for another seven days, still nothing,” Martinez told KXXV.
Martinez who has spinal muscular atrophy and dyslexia also says she was discriminated against due to her disabilities.
She was evicted because she failed to complete her recertification paperwork. She couldn’t complete her recertification paperwork because her father couldn’t help her. Martinez’s father is not allowed on the property due to trespassing charges.
However, Deborah Goffney of the Lott Housing Authority said Martinez had over a year to complete the recertification. Yesterday, Judge Polk in favor of the Lott Housing Authority. Martinez was given five days to file an appeal.
Disabled people like Martinez are not alone. Last year, disability-related housing complaints accounted for more than half of all those filed nationwide. Complicating matters is the fact that accessible housing is scarce. Apartment List conducted a study in February 2020 utilizing data from the American Community Survey and the American Housing Survey. According to the study, only 9% of households with a disabled family member reside in an accessible home. Even though more than 15% of American households have a member who is physically disabled, just 6% of homes are accessible.
Many disabled people also live in poverty. Approximately eight million people in the U.S receive SSI. There is nowhere in the country where an SSI beneficiary can reasonably afford an apartment, according to a report published in February by the Technical Assistance Collaborative.
Nationwide, the average rent for a basic studio or one-bedroom apartment exceeds the average monthly SSI benefit of $983. Even in the country’s cheapest rental market, Dallas County, MO., the rent for a one-bedroom or efficiency apartment would be 64% of a person’s monthly SSI benefit.
Housing is an essential part of life. All disabled people should have access to affordable, accessible, and safe housing. I hope the Lott Housing Authority is able to reach an appropriate resolution for all of their former residents.
Sources:
Alexander, Adriana. “‘you Can’t Do This to People’ | Woman Sues Lott Housing Authority over Unjustified Violations.” KCEN-TV , Tegna Inc. , 2 Sept. 2024, http://www.kcentv.com/article/life/people/woman-sues-lott-housing-authority/500-62adfb34-8731-4975-912d-114f355163af.
Diament, Michelle. “SSI Recipients Can’t Afford Housing Anywhere in the US.” Disability Scoop, 5 Feb. 2024, http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2024/02/05/ssi-recipients-cant-afford-housing-anywhere-in-the-us/30731.
Myers, Madison. “Judge Rules in Favor of Lott Housing Authority in Legal Battle.” KXXV, The E. W. Scripps Company, 5 Sept. 2024, http://www.kxxv.com/news/local-news/in-your-neighborhood/judge-rules-in-favor-of-lott-housing-authority-in-legal-battle.
Woodruff, Judy, and Layla Quran. “People with Disabilities Face Extra Hurdles amid National Housing Shortage.” PBS NewsHour, Public Broadcasting Service, 27 Aug. 2024, http://www.pbs.org/newshour/amp/show/people-with-disabilities-face-extra-hurdles-amid-national-housing-shortage.
Warnock, Rob. “How Accessible Is the Housing Market?” Apartment List , Apartment List, 19 February, 2020, http://www.apartmentlist.com/research/how-accessible-is-the-housing-market.