Foreclosures Spare None Not Even HIV Victims

August 31st, 2008 | Tags: Foreclosure Victims

Foreclosures are sparing none – not even HIV victims. Sabrina Wilson had no idea that she would be evicted until she noticed the For Sale sign pasted on the front of the building.

Sabrina Wilson, 51, had been diagnosed with HIV about 18 years ago. She was always apprehensive about finding another landlord who would accept a rental subsidy from the city authorities. But her current landlord is in foreclosure. With the nightmare turning into reality she has had to be hospitalized due to the trauma and fear of eviction and finding another accommodation with an accommodating landlord. She admitted that the stress got her sick. She bemoaned, “I cried day in and day out. Where am I going to stay? Where am I going?”

Sabrina Wilson is not the only sufferer. As many as over 50 HIV affected tenants have complained to city authorities that in the past few months they are being forcefully evicted or threatened with it because of foreclosure related problems. The exact numbers are not available but all the HIV tenants are in a fix.

The housing search of these unfortunate victims is worsened because of high rents, insufficient public beneficial funds and ineffective anti-discrimination laws. The HIV victims are dependent on the landlord or the lenders for notifying them well ahead about the impending foreclosure suit. If they do not then the tenants are helpless and have little time at hand to find shelters.

For those who are poor and saddled with children there is no choice but to huddle into small houses in bleak localities. These areas are the most prone to foreclosures. Starting from 2004 till 2007 foreclosure rates doubled in New York City with two to three family buildings being the prime targets. The tenants living here have no protection from eviction even if they have a lease. The problems start long before the date of eviction – it being the final stage of the drama. It starts with the landlord stopping mortgage payments without letting the tenant know.

Another such victim is a 49-year-old woman who is a HIV sufferer. She does not want her name to be known. She lives in Queens with her children and grandchildren. In June her gas supply was disconnected although this was included in the rent. The next blow when there was a letter in the mailbox saying that the owners of the unit were facing foreclosure.