Bills & expensesHousing & rentUrgent
Stop the eviction: 4 months of rent for Shirley's family in Cambridge
After a long illness, Shirley is 4 months behind on rent and has a notice to vacate from the landlord.
🇺🇸 Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States1,061 views
After a sudden layoff at the textile factory, I fell 4 months behind on rent. Last Wednesday a notice to vacate was taped to my door, and the amount I owe is $1,600.
My landlord has been understanding for a while, but he has now been clear: if the arrears aren't cleared by December, we must leave.
I have three school-aged children at home. Moving isn't just an expense - it would mean new schools, a new commute and no deposit to put down anywhere else.
I have started working extra hours at a market stall, and I'm applying for help from local services, but nothing will arrive in time without the rest of the gap covered here.
The money will be paid directly to the landlord and I'll upload the receipt once it's done.
Where the $1,600 goes:
• Late fees and court costs: $230
• First month of rent as a buffer: $1,100
• Utilities in arrears: $270
Thank you for reading my story.
- due date
- 2025-12-04
- bill type
- Rent arrears
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I hope things turn around soon. After 27 years in retail I know how hard it's to ask for anything.
gave what I could, wish it was more. Our whole street has been following this since the weekend. Love from Kano.
Hope it all works out, Shirley. It takes guts to ask. Well done. I went through something like this 14 years ago and strangers helped me out. Love from Bengaluru.
Keep going, Shirley. Hope this works out for you. The breakdown of costs made it easy to trust
I hope your landlord gives you a bit more time while this comes together. My late mom used to say help given quietly counts double. Greetings from Vancouver.
Thinking of you, Shirley. Gave what I could, wish it was more. We're a small family in Nashik but we're thinking of you. Love from Nashik.
rooting for you, Shirley. Hope this works out for you. Put this on a community board in Shubra this morning. Thinking of Cambridge.
Best of luck, Shirley. I was in a similar spot a few years ago and it did get better.
Praying for you, Shirley. Hope you get there.
I was in a similar spot a few years ago and it did get better. We lost years of savings to something like this so I get it. Greetings from Newcastle upon Tyne