Dec 15, 2008 7:22 pm US/Eastern
Landlord Tries To Boot Blind, Disabled 70-Year-Old
Just Weeks Before Christmas, Long Island's Angelina Darrego Faced Eviction, But Then CBS 2 HD Got Involved
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
The holidays can be a stressful time of year, even more so in this year of economic uncertainty. For one senior citizen on Long Island the season has turned into a fight to stay in her federally subsidized home for the holidays.
Angelina Darrego, 70, is legally blind and disabled, and a week before Christmas learned she's about to be evicted.
"I couldn't even see who she was," Darrego said. "I opened the door. She said, 'I've got the keys. I'm the owner. Now you've got to get out.'"
Darrego's one-bedroom apartment in Cedarhurst goes for $1,200 a month. The government pays most of that under the federal Section 8 program, but the building has sold and the new landlord isn't accepting Section 8 money, and told Darrego, her dog and cat, to move out.
"I'm afraid I'm going to be in the street, not an apartment," Darrego said. "This never happened before. I don't know what to do or where to go."
Last Friday, things came to a head. The landlord returned Darrego's rent checks, and turned off the heat and hot water. Her daughter from Connecticut brought a space heater and electric blanket.
"I can't eat. I can't sleep. I get headaches. I just got the shock. I'm nearly blind," Darrego said.
CBS 2 HD contacted Nassau County's office of Housing and Homeless Services and while we were there, the director called Darrego and assured her, heat and hot water will be restored. She will not be thrown out on the street.
Darrego said she is grateful, but has a rough road ahead, finding a new safe and legal apartment after the holidays. For now she said she can shop for Christmas presents, instead of an attorney.
The county housing director will meet with Darrego and the landlord to resolve the heat and hot water issues. Because of the building was sold, Darrego's lease will expire and she will have to find a new home -- one that accepts Section 8 vouchers.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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