Relocation due to health risks

My name is Jessica Dejesus, I am 36 years old, and I am completely blind. I am asking for help using a GoFundMe account because I need to find a safe home for my children. My 14 month old daughter has lead poisoning and we need to leave our current home to eliminate her exposure.

My nightmare started in 2020 when I found an apartment at 923 Kossuth St., Bridgeport, and lived there for one year. After I left this apartment, I found out that the landlord was invading my privacy, harassing my children and myself. He had an attic where he would look into our apartment, using the heater vents of the apartment. I was moved to 41 Bunnell St., Bridgeport by care coordination. I lived there for 2 1/2 years. The landlord, who was a fire fighter chief named Herald Clark was negligent towards me and my children. He did not want to fix anything or cooperate with me in fixing the property. My son's room was moldy, and the ceiling was collapsing. The health department was contacted and the city Council and others including Frank Réquia from News Channel 12. I finally got assistance from the health department and Housing Authority. I was approved Section 8 but we lived at a hotel for approximately five months before Section 8 found an apartment for me. The new apartment 248 Gregory St., Bridgeport is very small, very tight, very uncomfortable and not suitable for people with disabilities like my son and myself. My daughter who is 14 is suffering because her room is so small she has no room to move a limb. She has bruises because she hit herself on the wall and the room is very uncomfortable.

Section 8 put us in this apartment and they inspected it several times. For approximately two months, the inspection did not pass. The property was not ready. When inspection finally passed, I was told to move into this apartment. I was told by section 8 that if I did not take the apartment, they would take my voucher away. I was told I have no choice. When we moved in, I came home one day and noticed that the hall had no light. I contacted UI and they told me that the landlord was having issues with the security meter department at UI, I immediately contacted Section 8, they came to inspect again, the inspection failed. They gave the landlord 30 days to fix the issue. Section 8 arrived again and informed me that the landlord connected the light that he is supposed to pay to the second floor unit. Section 8 knows that this is illegal, and they still passed inspection. The second inspection I requested was for ant, mice, and mold inspection. Once again, section 8 came. They inspected and informed me that they will let the landlord know and give him 30 days to fix the issue. The landlord sent an exterminator. The extermination was not successful, but once again Section 8 passed inspection. The third inspection I requested was after my one year old went for her 12 month and the pediatrician tested her for lead. I was informed by the pediatrician that my daughter's lead levels were high. I was told to take her to the lab so she could be tested again on June 5, 2023. Once again the lead levels were high. I immediately contacted the Health Dept, Audry from the Health Dept immediately sent someone to inspect the home. I was informed by the Health Dept Inspector that there is lead in the property. I immediately informed the landlord. He informed me that we could move because he could not fix the lead issue. One month later, I once again took my daughter to the pediatrician to get another test for lead. Once again, my one year old lead levels are higher. I informed the landlord but have not gotten any response. My health, my two daughters', my son's and the health of everyone that enters my home is at risk from lead poisoning.

I am requesting help to be able to keep my children safe and keep my unborn daughter who is currently due in September. If I do not have a home or a safe place to stay my newborn will be removed from the home because of the lead issue and I cannot keep her with me because of the health risks. Please, I am requesting help any assistance for me to be able to keep my family together, keep my newborn and remain on my two feet.