Housing, Health & Justice for Sara

Hotel Eviction 10.9.23

House Eviction

Hi friends,

My name is Sara Buchanan. I am a proud Spelman grad, former tech entrepreneur, and mom to an adorable Cocker Spaniel named Uriel. I’ve been successful nearly all of my life, and as a core principle have always helped others in need – and through acts of kindness. Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think I’d be in the position I’m in now, and in need of support.

After exhausting every possible option, I’ve started this GoFundMe campaign as my dog and I will be homelessness after November 29th, and I've lost 99% of what I own.

This nightmare began when I leased a home in January 2021. I didn’t know it then, but the home was part of a huge portfolio of rental homes owned by a corporate financial institution. After just three of months living there, Uriel and I became extremely ill but didn’t know why until I discovered mold in the home and reported it to the property administrator. They promised to address the issues.

In the meantime, I sought temporary housing until the repairs were finished. A brand new hotel in Sandy Springs, GA became our temporary home. In an unfortunate twist of fate, not only did the home I leased have high levels of toxic mold, but so did this brand-new hotel!

Now, after being exposed to toxic mold in the home and in the hotel, I’ve been diagnosed with severe permanent brain damage, my immune system is functioning less than 22% - and I’ve become autoimmune compromised, along with numerous other diagnosis/injuries. I am unable to work due to the severity of the injuries the mold has caused, which has classified me as medically disabled. I have had to end my career and close my company. At this point, I barely have a life.

Now, Uriel and I am facing homelessness on the 29th of November - for one reason. I reported the presence of mold in the home and in the hotel and requested remediation repairs which they are required by law to do. After reporting this, both companies launched vengeful retaliation campaigns against me.

I can not tell you how horrifying and traumatic this has been to experience. Previously, I'd been a homeowner for 17 years so this is something I’d never imagined.

As a last resort both companies pursued fraudulently manufactured evictions against me, for that one reason – and not because my payments were ever late or not made, but because I reported mold and demanded it be addressed.

On October 9th, I was fraudulently evicted from the hotel. Although I had moved most of the items out, I needed a couple of hours to remove the rest. The A GM agreed to this, however, the GM called the Marshals who then removed the remainder of my belongings and put them outside in the parking lot! Hands down one of the most traumatic and humiliating things I’ve ever experienced.

To add insult to injury, the property administrator illegally evicted me in early November from the home I was leasing without notice. Hours later a contents clean up company came to throw out everything I owned. I have lost 99% of everything I owned at the house because they were unlawfully thrown out. The remaining 1% of my belongings are now contaminated with mold and may not be able to be salvaged. Losing nearly everything due to two fraudulent evictions in 3.5 weeks is an unbelievably devastating experience!

This has left me asking God what I may have done to deserve this as since I was taught as a child the importance of living my life as a good human and having lived this way since- being kind, generous, and helping others in need.

As someone who has worked nearly my whole life – since 14 when I could obtain a workers permit, not being able to work has been emotionally and financially devastating. I’ve recently applied for full medical disability. While living at the hotel, I started having bouts of extreme exhaustion that caused sudden periods of incapacitation that forced me to sleep literally half of the year away - 165+ days. During these periods, I literally could not do anything but sleep.

As I became more sick at the hotel and was diagnosed with new medical conditions, I desperately needed civil legal counsel to try to hold these companies accountable for the devastation they’ve caused. I couldn't afford legal counsel for one case, much less two. So even though I had all the evidence to win these cases I couldn't effectively fight these companies’ legal proceedings against me in between these bouts of extreme fatigue forcing me to sleep. As a result, some of my responses were late and ultimately that and everything I’ve shared with you has landed me here. While there are laws that protect people with disabilities to give them more time in filing responses, one Judge wouldn't adhere to these Federal laws. I'll find out how the other Judge rules next week.

If not for the support of my father and a dear friend who’s helped me tremendously and paid for me to live in another hotel while I sort things out, I’d have been homeless.

I truly thank you for taking the time to read about my story. It means a lot! Thank you as well for making a donation if you’re able to and sharing this with others if you get the nudge to pass this on. I am using the donations for living, medication, and legal expenses as I truly need the support of an attorney. If anyone knows a good civil attorney with a license in Georgia who is willing to represent these cases, that is welcomed as well! Uriel and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts and more than words could ever express!

With deep gratitude,

~Sara