For Omar Lightner and his family, who live in Florida, USA, this Christmas will be much more than a small reunion.
The moratorium on exposures U.S expires on December 31, which implies they could be homeless at the end of the holiday.
“We’ve saved $ 200, it’s getting us nowhere. Right now. It’s the vacation,” said Lightner.
‘At night I wonder how I can explain to my kids that they can’t celebrate Christmas because we have to leave this place in a few days. ‘
Lighter, 42, he lost his job in February as a driver in a moving company because of the pandemic.
It has been that way ever since living off his savings in a motel in Jacksonville with his wife Tawanda and their children Jayla, 10, Jasmine, 8 and Jamal, 6.
Your money is running out quickly.
“My savings were $ 22,000 when we went to the motel,” said Lightner. “That took a few US DOLLAR $17,300. We spend the rest on food stamps. That helped a lot. But we have two children with severe autism. There are medicines and therapy to pay for. “
While the Lightners try to clean up their money, US congressmen try to agree on a second support account through covid-19 of $ 900,000 million that can relieve those most affected by the pandemic.
The package is expected to contain hundreds of billions of dollars support for the unemployed and companies in difficulty, as well as for the vaccine distribution and in front of education.
In March, President Donald Trump signed the largest financial stimulus package in US history, more than $ 2 trillion.
From that package, Lightner got US $ 1,200 per month for unemployment. Those payments stopped in August. You have been told to be patient while the system is released.
As you continue to look for work, put your hopes on the second stimulus package. While it is less than the first, it is expected to provide $ 600 checks to millions of Americans and 10 weeks of unemployment assistance.
Millions at risk of losing their homes
Lightner’s biggest and immediate concern is how to secure a home for his family.
In September, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was allowed to temporarily halt deportations to slow the spread of the virus and help those in financial straits.
This relief will end at the end of this month and could affect between 2.4 and 5 million households. Americans, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The Lightner family is one of those facing the deportation on January 1. The rental price is four weeks behind.
The man explains that, as part of the motel’s eviction policy, items considered non-essential can be removed from his room. This week it was television, something the couple desperately need to calm Jamal, whose autism is preventing him from talking.
“We are a family of five, there are no shelters available at the moment,” said Lightner.
“My pride is gone. Now we are practically homeless. And I was always a very proud man. I worked all my life. We always had a nice house and good vehicles.”
‘I know how I grew up, I had to work to get those things. And they took it from me for no reason. ‘
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