She Paid Rent on Time, But That Didn’t Stop This Christmas Horror!

As the festive season approaches, a Memphis mother of five faces an unimaginable challenge: raising her children from the cramped confines of her car. Mercedes Hubbard’s world turned upside down just weeks before Christmas, following her eviction from Wheel Estate, a mobile home park where she had lived for over a year.

For 13 months, Hubbard managed to pay her rent on time, never missing a payment. However, things took a turn when her monthly rent spiked from $762 to over $900. Compounding the financial burden were persistent water leaks in her mobile home that not only made living conditions difficult but also inflated her utility bills significantly.

Hubbard claims these added costs pushed her into a financial crisis, leading to eviction. In court, she alleged that the property manager tacked on three additional months of rent atop utility charges to ensure her removal. Documents revealed that by October 30, 2024, her debt had ballooned to $3,701.

Since her eviction on October 3, Hubbard has been living out of her car with her five children. “I haven’t been able to find any shelter,” she told ABC affiliate ABC24. “I can’t go anywhere because I have all the fees that they left me with from the leaks of my mobile home.”

The emotional toll is evident. Hubbard has not only lost her home but also both her jobs, and now fears losing her car, her last semblance of stability. Despite her efforts to secure assistance, relief has been slow to arrive.

The Shelby County Court Division of Community Services stepped in, urging Wheel Estate to provide Hubbard additional time to access rental assistance. In an email, they requested leniency, stating: “We are working diligently to expedite the processing, but we anticipate that it may take a few more weeks before the funds are available.”

Yet, Wheel Estate’s management remained firm. Speaking to ABC24, the property manager said, “We are unable to give Ms. Hubbard any extra time. We want possession of the home.” This rigid stance contradicted earlier assurances Hubbard received that enrollment in a rental assistance program would prevent eviction.

“It’s a terrible feeling because I was lied to and I was continuing to pay my rent on time,” Hubbard shared.

Hubbard’s plight sheds light on a larger issue at Wheel Estate. Just weeks prior, over 200 residents signed a petition outlining numerous grievances, including broken streetlights, unrepaired potholes, and malfunctioning gates. The management company, Roots Management Group, acknowledged the complaints, promising to install a new water main and improve community oversight.

Hubbard’s story is emblematic of a broader housing crisis in America, where rising rents and poor maintenance leave vulnerable families with limited options. Foreclosure or eviction often traps families in cycles of poverty, forcing them into precarious living situations.

For Hubbard, the hope for a brighter future is dimmed by ongoing battles against systemic failings. “It’s a terrible feeling,” she lamented, reflecting on the harsh realities that have left her and her children without a home as the holidays loom near.

This is not just a story about one mother’s hardship but a call to action for better housing policies and compassionate management practices. Families like Hubbard’s deserve dignity, not despair.