Christianburg, Virginia – A woman with a disability in Christiansburg is fighting for fair housing after alleging political leaders violated her rights as a tenant.
“Enough is enough, it’s time to stand up, I decided to say,” said Debra Long.
She is wheelchair bound and relies on her grandson Daniel Price as her primary caretaker.
Long moved into an apartment complex in Christiansburg in late March.
She said the problems started not long after she moved. Long alleged that a man associated with her property harassed her over the next four months.
In August, a judge approved a two-year protection order against him.
Long then claimed that his landlord, Marie March, who was also a Virginia legislator, informed Long’s grandson of the trespassing.
“She had three or four cops who came knocking on her door,” Price said. “I was hurt, sad and unable to care for her grandmother.”
“My grandson had to leave home. I spent two weeks alone without a caregiver and couldn’t do anything. I got to the point where I couldn’t do anything anymore,” Long said.
Long then filed a complaint with the Virginia Fair Housing Commission. She claimed she didn’t feel safe at the complex because of the harassment.
The Virginia Fair Housing Commission is investigating the matter.
An attorney for the Southwestern Virginia Legal Aid Society, which provides free legal aid, asked in March if Price could be on the premises to be her caregiver.
“They didn’t respond,” Long said.
10 For news, check with the Department of Professional Regulation, which helps enforce standards of professional conduct. They said the Fair Housing Act requires housing providers to rent to people with disabilities. It also states that housing providers cannot evict residents with disabilities.
The first priority is to make sure there are adjustments to mitigate or correct the lease violation.
“She said where we lived, there was only one tenant per apartment,” Long said.
March emailed 10 News about the issue, in part stating that none of what we’ve been told is true. He said he lived with
Long said she moved out of the property in September for safety and peace of mind. Now her concern is finances — she said she’s paying for two apartments.
“I had a horrific experience. I am financially bankrupt now,” Long said.
And while she waits for the situation to be resolved, she hopes to live safely and comfortably at home for the future.
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