This request is for a 50-year old Ojibway gentleman and his long-term partner.

What caused this need?

This request is for a 50-year old Ojibway gentleman and his long-term partner. They have resided in a rented home in Shakopee for many years. They have both faced significant health challenges with his mental health issues (schizophrenia and depression) and physical health issues (complications of advanced diabetes) so severe that he has been unable to work for years, while his partner?s health issues only allowed her to work intermittently in recent months. They fell behind on their rent through all of this while holding out hope that his long-delayed Social Security Disability claim (just approved) would allow them to catch up on the past-due rent of $6000. Unfortunately, the ?lump sum? award from Social Security was ?eaten up? by priority claims from the County for past assistance and by attorney fees. Thus they are falling well-short of being able to pay the back-rent and are facing an immediate eviction and imminent homelessness. They have $2000 to put toward the overdue rent and are in need of $4000 to settle the matter. Even in paying the back-rent, they will be forced to move by the end of the month, but if they can pay the overdue amount they can at least avoid being out on the street immediately and having an unlawful detainer blemishing their rental prospects indefinitely, and they will have a chance to arrange for a new residence. This is a very earnest couple doing their very best in the face of very tough life circumstances.