What happens when you lose your home at 72 in Amesbury, Massachusetts?

A no fault eviction left 72 year old Judith with few options. She has lived most of her life in the Massachusetts towns of Amesbury and Newburyport, but a shortage of housing has fueled
record-high home prices across the state and she was unable to find an apartment she could afford.
The housing crisis is hitting older women in Massachusetts especially hard.
At UMass Boston, the Gerontology Institute found high housing costs have left the majority of Massachusetts women over the age of 65 "economically vulnerable" - the highest percentage of any state in the country.
Here's how Judith survived in her car for nearly a year, using water at a local cemetery to bathe and driving for everything she needed - from food to a bathroom.
Just before Christmas she finally found a new home with help from Community Teamwork Inc., a nonprofit based in Lowell, Massachusetts.
GBH News cameras captured her move as she unloaded kitchen supplies and welcomed her cat to their new home in Amesbury, Massachusetts.

Read the story here:

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[pinkglitterfleck]

I know family dynamics are complicated and tricky, but I don’t think I could sleep at night knowing my mother was homeless. Even though it’s non of our business it makes you wonder why she didn’t have familial support.

[cjhoward]

My mom passed away 6 years ago and my 89 year old dad spends 6 months with me and 6 months with my brother. He’ll never be homeless ! He took good care of us when we were kids and it’s an honor to take care of him.

[TheLadyGrace]

I'm so pleased that she found a place.. I am grateful for my home every day.

[marytomskicrane]

Why are people assuming she was a horrible mother? We don't know her circumstances. Even if she was, she deserves to live in a home, not a car.... We have to blame those who are poor rather than face the reality that this could happen to any of us.

[JuliaSochnikova]

This is insane-she has 3 kids. Do they know that their mom is homeless? WTF? How is this possible? This makes me sick to my stomach

[patriciasiciliano]

So happy she found a home. What have we become?

[nutech]

This is how America treats their elderly??? 😢

Elderly before illegals!!

[marieriddel]

I have 4 other siblings & when my dad got older & sicker none of them stepped up to help. My father is a wonderful dad & provider so after he got well he wanted to travel so we purchased him a caravan he travels six months of the year & stays 6 months at home with us. He will never be homeless what you do for your parents .

[endtheliesnow]

To pay $3500 for a basic apartment is disgusting. For this reason, tons of older Americans are living on their Social Security overseas. God bless you, Judith.

[winter]

This is so sad. I have a co-worker who's 64 years old. One day I asked her while she was still working, she said she can't afford to retire and she doesn't want to lose her house. Our country is going backwards. It's a shame because OUR leaders are the most CORRUPT people in the society.

[carlateixeira]

Sooo happy that someone was able to help this sweet lady find a home where she can feel comfortable and safe ❤

[rgopinion]

I was not raised by my mom, when I was 4 year old I was given away to a family member because my parents couldn't cope with their lives. I started to have a relationship with my mother when I was 17 years old. I love and respect my mother and keep not resentment. My two sisters and I help her financially and keep in close contact with her since she lives alone. I am grateful that my mother is alive and that I have the opportunity to get to know her and create beautiful memories. God is great!

[heatherwhittaker]

Her son and daughter, where are they? It's a crime that older people are discarded by their own families when they need them. They only contact them when they want something from them . The grandchildren thoroughly ignore them and we are told that's normal because they are teens and busy with their own lives.

[msmith]

Having this happen to ANY elderly person in the USA is RIDICULOUS😢!!!

[jamielacourse]

I'm 62 and was homeless for ten months last year. Thank God for the coffee shop bathroom and the foodbanks.

[whynotnow]

I was truly shocked when she mentioned having children. My mother brutalized me coming up and when she got in a car accident that quite literally killed her and then she came back, only to remain in a coma for 6 months...eventually she needed a place to live. Of course, I took her in. We must exercise the mercy on others that we want in our lives. Because we never know when we'll be on the needing end. 🙏

[ejkiypf]

Whoever rented her this place did her a huge favor….thank you

[Sydcindy]

My 86 year old father moved in with me 2 years ago. No way was I going to leave him alone after my mother and his wife of 56 years died. He is my rock. This story of this woman breaks my heart!! 😭💔

[ryanscottlogan]

I am so happy this lady found a nice home!God bless her.❤️

[soniaprovard]

Dear Judith!! I am so thrilled that you are finally in a lovely place of your own!! I’m crying tears of joy for you as watch you setting up your kitchen & checking on your kitty cat! All the best to you in your new home & may God keep you safe and warm!!🥰