Help Disabled Two-Spirit Leader Create Accessible Home

As friends and community members, we’re pulling together funds to support Jen Deerinwater, our queer, two-spirit, Indigenous (enrolled tribal member), multiply disabled comrade who is in desperate need of a home to settle down in and make accessible so they can recover from multiple surgeries, access critical ongoing care, and prevent housing instability.

Over the last two years, Jen’s housing situation has become dire due to forces beyond their control. First, the DC Housing Authority broke numerous laws regarding Jen’s Section 8 program that has led to traumatizing and further disabling housing instability. Jen has had to recover from multiple surgeries while worrying about keeping their housing as well as fighting the Housing Authority to approve a voucher for a 2 bedroom apartment for a necessary live-in aide.

The ongoing threat of the loss of their apartment would force Jen to navigate a loss of stable accessible housing, necessary health services, home health aide care, and the ability to schedule necessary surgeries, all of which also create a serious health crisis.

Jen is also looking to relocate out of DC because they are unable to get appropriate healthcare to manage their disabilities and chronic illnesses. There aren't enough doctors doing the care Jen needs in DC that accept DC Medicaid (secondary insurance) and Medicare (primary insurance) only pays 80% of the medical bills. Jen needs to move to another city now as their health is becoming dire. Jen currently has to travel out of DC every two months for one of their essential treatments they can’t access in DC, putting an extreme burden on Jen’s body and bank account.

Jen cannot get a mortgage due to health insurance income limits, and there are no programs to help someone on SSDI get a mortgage. This is why they have to buy a house outright, which also includes a budget for necessary accessibility renovations. The goal is to raise $50,000 to complete the purchase of a home in full to get out from under the instability of the Section 8 rental program, access the medical care they need, as well as make the permanent disability access renovations they need in their home.

Jen is a critical leader in many marginalized communities and deserves a safe place to make accessible. Having a stable, accessible home will save Jen’s life. Please donate what you can and share this with your community.