STOP LANDLORD FROM EXTORTING US (TAKING THE MONEY WE RECEIVED FROM FEMA TO RELOCATE.  Account #4827) 

Our landlord raised our rent nearly 500% in just a few months.  Knowing that the driveway is washed out (from Hurricane Helene) and we are unable to get our belongings and furniture.  He said that his attorney (Ann Goodman of Hickory, NC) had advised him to keep raising our rent until we could no longer pay it,  then sue us for that amount.  He is doing just that in Superior Court.  The money we have given him is most of the money FEMA gave us to relocate. With enough signatures,  we hope to draw attention to the horrific conditions we are living in and have been for some time now.  The house we rent,  and have been for over 15 years,  was built in 1772 and is on the National Registry of Historic Places.  It's called the Catawba Perkins House and is located just outside of Catawba,  NC. It is in very bad shape and has been since long before we moved in (May 2009). The landlord has not done any repairs on the house or the dirt driveway until I had a heart attack and required a double bypass surgery a few months ago.  Prior to that,  I had five spinal surgeries  (including a fusion), both hip joints replaced,  and a shoulder joint replaced.  Only then did he repair the lower part of the driveway.  But it was only temporary.  When Helene hit, it did damage to both the house and washed out part of the driveway.  The driveway is 3/4 mile long and has been impassable since 2020. We have had to park near the road and walk down with our water and supplies since then. We have trail cameras that documented it. My wife and I are in our late 60s and are not in good health.  Our only income is Social Security which is low because neither I or my wife ( Annmarie) have been able to work for many years.  (We were both on SSI). We strongly believe that neither us or this house deserves the abuse and neglect from our landlord (Roy Schmarkey, of Charleston,  SC).  We are in need of a good attorney  ( Pro Bono).  Legal aid has helped us with paperwork and filling out forms, but said that they could not represent us in court as they didn't the resources in our area. Because of Helene.  We are desperately trying to find another place to live,  but have not been able to for the same reason.  We paid bond to stay the execution of eviction for another 30 days from 11-27-2024. As it looks now, we will be forced out on 12-27-2024. ( with no way to get our furniture and belongings up the washed out driveway. ) or a place to take it to once we get it out. 

CATAWBAPERKINSHOUSE@GMAIL.COM