A deaf person facing eviction, asks the Troubleshooters for help resolving that issue.
So we get help from an interpreter at the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Center from interpreter Sarah Carmony.
Attorney Carlos Vela is also helping Monses Rocha.
Vela and attorney Joe Flores have asked us to help them help Rocha.
Rocha says he moved into the Southern Comfort Apartments on Cottonwood last September thru the government’s Section 8 program designed to help lower-income individuals afford housing.
"I signed the papers to get the key. I needed a place to stay. And I asked about deposits and other bills and they said ‘oh no, you’re Section 8. You don’t have to worry about those deposits," Rocha recalled.
But Rocha maintains management never gave him official paperwork confirming that nor provided him an interpreter.
Attorney Vela says businesses must comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
"They have to make reasonable accommodations to a person with disabilities. It sounds to me as if they did not."
A few weeks ago Rocha found a note on his door. it said ‘$200.00 every month until fully settled. Cannot be late.’
Rocha said the note’s from a man named Harold, the property manager.
And the issue is apparently unpaid electric bills.
"They used my rent money to put that towards my electricity bill that they said I didn’t have to pay" Rocha told us. "Section 8 told me when I contacted them that that was wrong."
The next day Rocha found out he was being evicted. There’s a hearing scheduled for Friday, February 9th.
So Rocha got a money order for $200.00 and presented it to Harold.
"Harold will drop the eviction notice, drop the charges, if I paid $300.00. but I only had $200.00 ready."
The Troubleshooters went to the Southern Comfort Apartments to speak with Harold, but nobody answered.
Rocha just wants to get this resolved.
"It’s all just a misunderstanding. There’s so much miscommunication."
Harold still hasn’t returned our call, however, late this afternoon, Vela called to let us know he had spoken with Harold and Harold dropped the eviction lawsuit.
As far as the money Harold says Rocha owes, Vela says that will be negotiated.
This is another Troubleshooters case closed.
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