Mass Eviction

K.B. was born in Eupora and raised in Ackerman, Mississippi. She lived in Atlanta, Georgia, until she relocated to Starkville in 2016. Like E.B., K.B. was a resident of an apartment complex mass-evicted by the new landlord. K.B. lived in a three-bedroom with her husband, two daughters, and two of her grandkids. Though the living conditions at the complex were less than ideal, K.B. pointed out that her family was together and ultimately, everyone was safe. When the police knocked on their door to evict them, they were told they had three hours to leave, and she and her family simply left out of fear. K.B. had never been evicted before and was unfamiliar with the legality of the eviction process. Due to this being so abrupt, K.B.'s family was separated. K.B. and her husband had to stay at a hotel for two months. K.B.'s daughters and grandchildren had to move to Columbus, MS. She describes the feeling of being uprooted and separated from her family as "scared and lost all of the time."

 

With the assistance of a local non-profit, K.B. was able to rent a different apartment. Currently, she and her husband live at another apartment complex in Starkville in a one-bedroom unit. Through this mentally and physically challenging journey, K.B. has struggled with finances and daily well-being such as cooking meals in a hotel room. She temporarily lost close contact with her loved ones. Home and being together with her family are what K.B. describes as the most important things to her. Despite the heartbreaking and unfortunate situations she and her family have endured over the last several months, she believes that it is important to remember that someone always has it worse than you. Though life is never easy, K.B. remains in high spirits and reminds herself daily that she "Can't give up."

 

You can listen to an excerpt of K.B's interview here:

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