LYNN — Lacey Young-Falasca, 33, is a single mother to a 15-year old Lynn English High School student, a dental assistant, and has been a resident at Quaker Meadows Apartments on Green Street for 10 years.
“Growing up, I’ve been a part of this community … I’m one of the youngest tenants,” Young-Falasca said. “I clean the hall, the walkways, I shovel. I put the salt down. I help everybody with their groceries.”
Young-Falasca said she loves her home at Quaker Meadows. Recently however, remaining there has been a battle against management.
In July, she was late to pay her rent by a few days and in August, her payment was late by just one day. A few days before Sept.17, Young-Falasca received a 48-hour notice of eviction despite having paid her rent for that month.
Young-Falasca said the reason for her late payments was due to being in the hospital at the time with her daughter, who has polycystic kidney disorder. The payments are due on the fifth of each month, and on Aug. 5, she said her daughter’s heart was going into arrhythmia.
Working with Northeast Legal Aid, Young-Falasca filed emergency motions to stop the eviction. A second 48-hour notice had set Sept. 25 as the date for the eviction, and on Sept. 24 the housing court ruled the eviction could go forward. A legal aid lawyer then filed an appeal, which was rejected the morning of the scheduled eviction.
On Wednesday, Lynn United For Change helped organize a protest to block Young-Falasca and her daughter from being physically rejected from their home – to success, as the landlord agreed to temporarily halt the eviction until Sept. 27.
Young-Falasca will wait for the outcome of another case against the property management to halt the eviction on Monday at Northeast Housing Court.
Young-Falasca said her daughter was diagnosed with her disorder in December and has since had multiple complications. Due to her daughter’s number of doctor’s appointments and hospital visits, Young-Falasca had already used up her paid time off by April.
“This is such a big learning curve mentally, physically, and emotionally for her, but for me as well,” Young-Falasca said.
Young-Falasca said her daughter was one of the first students to attend Kindergarten at KIPP Academy Lynn Charter School. However she is now attending Lynn English due to wanting a “fresh start.”
“She’s been so happy and is doing amazing,” Young-Falasca said. “I just feel so bad now that this has all happened.”
She added she now has automatic payments set up, which has already taken her money for the month of October.
Lynn United for Change also organized an online petition addressed to Gary M. Jenninison Jr. and Michael J. Corcoran – CMJ / Corcoran Jennison Companies — to stop the eviction of Young-Falasca and her daughter, which at the time of publication has garnered 229 signatures.
A statement from Lynn United for Change to The Item wrote that it organized the protest to prevent Young-Falasca’s eviction because “We couldn’t stand by and watch Lacey and her daughter get thrown out of their home for no good reason. Lacey managed to get back on track and completely catch up on rent after struggling, while occupied with her child’s extremely serious health issue.”
“We hope the leadership of Corcoran Jennison Companies will take a look and realize it’s not right to make a family homeless over something like that,” the statement continued.
Mayor Jared Nicholson’s Office also sent a letter signed by local officials to Corcoran and Jennnison asking the property management company to reconsider its decision to evict.
“The circumstances of this situation make it clear that more dialogue and understanding is needed from the management company,” Nicholson said in a statement to The Item. “I am joined by the State Delegation and the Lynn City Council in imploring the managers to work with this family to preserve their tenancy and keep them safe and housed. We believe that there is more than enough room for a favorable outcome for all involved.”
“I’m just trying to learn how to navigate this, and I’m doing the best that I can,” Young-Falasca said.
As of press time, Corcoran Jennison Companies did not respond to request for comment.
