LEXINGTON, Ky. — Hundred of households in Lexington have faced eviction over the last few months. Since January, Fayette County has seen an 18 percent increase in rent.
Davita Gatewood, a Fayette County resident is a mother of six, and her priority is to keep her children safe.
“I’m a mother of African American males, and right now we have African American males in our community that are dying due to gun violence,” Gatewood said.
Gatewood’s landlord has evicted her family to renovate and sell the house they currently live in. Being a Section 8 voucher holder, Gatewood said it’s been difficult to find safe and affordable housing.
“If you wouldn’t live in it, why would you want to put me and my family in it? And I think that’s something that a lot of people don’t think about when it comes to housing,” Gatewood said.
All she needs from a landlord is an opportunity to prove she is a good tenant, and for the city to create affordable housing in safer communities.
“Most of us can’t do anything with a one- or two-bedroom studio or one-bedroom apartment. What can I do with that?,” Gatewood said.
Not only a concern for Gatewood, the stress has also affected her children.
“Recently got two jobs so I will help with the house,” said her 15-year-old son Asan. “And so we could do more. And my most recent job is very tiring. I’m still getting adjusted to it. But I don’t want to give up on it because I want to help my mom more,” he shared.
Asan is a sophomore at Carter G. Woodson Academy is already anticipating a difficult school year.
“It’s probably going to be more difficult than freshman year and freshman year was very difficult,” Asan said.
And unfortunately, he’s not alone.
“My friend had the same situation. He’s in a house now but at first he had to go to a hotel, so I know that was hard for him because I had to be there for him,” Gatewood Parks said.
Gatewood’s voucher is up on Aug. 18. Her goal is to be a homeowner, but she needs support and opportunities from her community.
“There are so many people in our community who can’t afford housing or who have housing but their landlord doesn’t take care of it,” said Beau Revlett, organizer of KY Tenants.
Gatewood is joining KY Tenants on a trip to the White House next week to discuss affordable housing and tenant rights with the Biden administration, hoping to see some changes on a federal level.
There will also be a town hall meeting on Friday, July 22, 6-8pm at the Lyric Theatre, 300 E Third St. where Lexington residents can discuss problems they are facing with housing and what solutions they would like to see.