Underneath the Shadow of Eviction: Nevada Resident's Desperate Fight
To be completely honest, Kelly was practically petrified when you knocked on her door this morning.
Living on borrowed time in her two-room apartment with her friend's three daughters - Sharron (8), Kia (6), and Imani (5) - Kelly had been two months behind on her rent for her modest Las Vegas abode.
The eviction notice, tucked away in a kitchen cabinet, remained hidden from view yet ever-present in her heart. "I honestly felt they'd show up at any moment," she confessed.
Enacted in response to the pandemic, a state-wide eviction moratorium was set to expire at midnight on Saturday, creating a path for landlords to evict tenants behind on their rent. While states are ramping up efforts to prevent mass evictions, not every renter is promptly contacted or offered relief.
Kelly shared her story of losing her job as a card dealer at Las Vegas' casinos last year due to the closures resulting from Covid-19. Although she managed to secure temporary work since then, the pay hasn't been enough to cover her rent.
Within the small confines of her apartment, the only furnishings consisted of a worn-out sofa and a television in the living room. Sleeping on the floor in the larger bedroom, while the young girls who she babysat part-time shared a cramped room without a bed, had become the norm.
"Sometimes I don't even want to make up the bed (or spread it out on the floor) - you feel me?", she said.
According to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, over 11 million Americans are behind on their rent payments. Congress authorized $46 billion in aid, but very little of it has been disbursed. Nevada recently passed a law allowing tenants who apply for the Cares Housing Assistance Program (CHAP) to stay in their homes, as long as their case remains under review. However, the bureaucratic process can be complex, and not all landlords or tenants can keep up with the constantly changing regulations.
Nevada has expanded the eviction protection to include renters who apply for rental assistance. The state has also implemented a law sealing eviction records during the pandemic.
Determined to keep her apartment, Kelly launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for her rent. By Sunday evening, the page had amassed more than $200,000 in donations. However, GoFundMe confirmed to CNN that they were in regular contact with Kelly, monitoring the funds and ensuring they were being used appropriately.
As the girls prepare to return to school in Hilo, Kelly is still deliberating her next move, according to the girls' mother, Shadia Hilo, speaking to CNN.
Further Reading:
As Kelly grapples with her eviction threat, she is seeking support through a GoFundMe campaign, while simultaneously advocating for new legislation in Nevada which would provide renters with protection while their applications for the Cares Housing Assistance Program (CHAP) are being reviewed.
Her apartment, consisting of merely two rooms, holds only a sofa and a television in the living room. Kelly, who lost her job as a card dealer last year due to the casino closures caused by Covid-19, has been struggling to meet her rent payments ever since.
As of late, Nevada has taken initiative to support housing affordability. The state has proposed allocating $12.5 million towards various development projects, potentially aiding housing-related initiatives . Additionally, local governments such as Reno have launched programs to combat housing unaffordability, including the Housing Court eviction diversion pilot program, which aims to prevent evictions and provide resources to struggling renters .
