“I work for a property management company. I understand that sometimes you’re understaffed or that things fall through the cracks, but that’s no reason to treat someone like they’re less than human.

I used to live in public housing. I didn’t have heating for over a year. During that I time I got very sick because of the cold. The housing authority refused to fix the problem and also wanted my rent. It took two years to request abatement. There was a hearing that I missed because I was never given notice.

I found Open Door Legal and we were able to get additional evidence and a new hearing. Even then, they tried to dispute. They became focused on proving me wrong, not on fixing the problem. It was insulting.

You know, sometimes you just need a lawyer because sometimes, you’re not being treated like a human.”

Photography © Lauren Lombard