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After sharing her story about facing eviction, a Black mother of three received an overwhelming amount of support from strangers.
“I just want to tell everybody thank you so much,” Dasha Kelly told CNN on Tuesday (August 3). “I’m still in denial.”
Kelly was interviewed by the outlet just one day prior (August 2), sitting with her three daughters on their couch –– one of the last remaining pieces of furniture the family had in their Las Vegas apartment due to an impending eviction after the CDC’s moratorium expired over the weekend.
The 32-year-old mother lost her job as a card dealer last year after casinos were forced to close and became behind on her rent.
“I had no idea what we were going to do,” Kelly said. She started a GoFundMe page Monday night (August 2), hoping to raise $2,000 to cover the back rent she owed to her landlord. Within 24 hours, the campaign surpassed $200,000 from over 3,000 donors.
“It gave me a lot of hope,” Kelly said. “And I just want to make sure I do the best that I can to help the next person that is in my same situation.” Kelly is among the estimated 11 million Americans who are behind on their rent due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Tuesday (August 3), the White House announced it would extend the eviction moratorium until October 3, specifically in areas where COVID-19 cases are rising –– which covers renters in about 90% of the country.
The action came after Rep. Cori Bush of Missouri slept on the steps of the Capitol over the weekend and urged federal action for at-risk tenants around the nation.
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