Security

A’Diva was all too familiar the harsh realities of housing insecurity from a young age. 

“I experienced homelessness throughout my childhood,” she said. “I had to grow up early and be there for my siblings. My mom, even though she did the best that she could do, and my dad being incarcerated my whole life, I was kind of self-taught.” 

As a young adult, A’Diva had utilized her deep-rooted independence to find an apartment of her own. But when she found herself jobless following health issues, she began falling behind on her rent. The mounting financial strain was overwhelming: A’Diva was facing a potential eviction. 

It was during this precarious time that A’Diva crossed paths with Tom DiFiore, Managing Attorney for Bay Area Legal Services’ Housing Team, at an outreach event. Tom shared that there might be resources available to A’Diva, and their encounter led to Bay Area Legal providing A’Diva with a much-needed lifeline. 

A’Diva applied for services and was placed in contact with attorney Jenalee Diaz. Together, they navigated the complexities of the Rapid Response Recovery (R3) Emergency Rental Assistance Program, a program through Hillsborough County that directs federal funds to provide immediate rent relief to prevent homelessness, thus supporting the long-term health and stability of the community. 

Despite challenges and delays in approval, Jenalee’s steadfast advocacy secured crucial funds that covered three months of overdue rent and provided an additional three months in advance, protecting A’Diva from eviction.  

With a secure roof over her head, A’Diva was then introduced to Lauren Lambert, a Bay Area Legal Services social worker, who assisted her in enrolling in a GED program. Lauren secured health insurance for A’Diva, as well as access to transportation through Wheels for Success.

Bay Area Legal’s assistance not only safeguarded A’Diva’s home but also enabled her to focus on her work at a local homelessness prevention program, where she channels her experiences with housing insecurity to mentor and support teens facing similar adversities. Her commitment to giving back is a testament to the community impact of holistic legal aid. 

Though A’Diva’s journey toward complete security is still a work in progress, she emphasized the pivotal role of our intervention in her life: “They helped me get to a place where I wouldn’t end up back in that situation,” A’Diva said. “At first I thought, like, this is too much. I can’t do it. There was a lot of frustration... But now my health and doctor’s appointments are going good. I have therapy lined up. There’s so much that I’m grateful for, for Bay Area Legal and just in general.”