Hello, my name is Chrisha C. and I’ve been homeless for about two years now. I lost everything due to a domestic violence case, the abuse coming from my husband. I worked so hard to leave and now I don’t know where to turn or who to talk to. I’m just about ready to give up on life.

During my 10 years in housing programs, I successfully completed numerous programs including a peer forensic and life asset program, CPR training, a suicide prevention program, and I obtained a GED state certificate, a food handlers license, and a drivers license. I was in two plays—I have a voice—and worked hard to break down the walls of the stigmas I faced. For the first time in my life, I followed through on the things I never imagined being able to have, but then I lost my housing. I was in the DV shelter and given 5 days notice to leave. I was accused of having nine evictions on my record, and I faced thousands of dollars in property damages. Top top things off, my housing case worker who I had worked with for four years was also my landlord, so there was no court case held in my defense, no judgement made. I achieved so much; I couldn’t believe they thought I would just let everything go. Do you have any suggestions for housing while being labeled SMI (Serious Mental Illness)? I am still homeless and scared, and I have been hurt three times.