In October 2022, Christinaa resident of Evaux-les-Bains, in the heart of France, was watching television when a report about a homeless couple caught his attention. “I remember that the woman was about 73 years old and had been living in her car for three years, in Aix-en-Provence”Christina recalls. “I told myself I couldn’t leave them like this.”. The couple, made up of Mireille, retired, now 76, and Lionel, 59, who receives a disability pensionfaced a situation that awakened in Christina an impulse of solidarity.
Faced with this situation and moved by her empathy, Christina He decided to contact the couple to offer them to rent a home he had just bought. in Néris-les-Bains, about 30 kilometers from his home in Evaux. After holding several conversations, they agreed on a rent of 500 euros with expenses already included.At first everything was going well, but They soon began to have financial problems and could no longer pay”Christina relates. “Over time, the amount they paid me decreased, and currently they only cover electricity costs”he explains.
Now, this act has seemed to turn against Christina and her husband, since that home is burdened by a mortgage loan, which they are currently paying and for which they do not receive the rent money, which makes it an extra expense. Even so, despite the annoyance that not paying your rent can cause, Christina bears no grudges towards her tenants. “We have always had a good relationship, I don’t blame them for not being able to pay. Maybe the mistake was mine too. I thought I was doing the right thing and I don’t regret it, but I didn’t imagine that this would put us in trouble, especially with the current inflation,” Christina reflects.
In order to help them in any way she can, Christina is trying to manage social housing, with the aim that they can have stable housing. Despite their efforts, a solution has not come. For their part, Mireille and Lionel have also tried to organize their return to Aix-en-Provence, the city where they previously lived, but so far their plans have not been successful. Meanwhile, the situation remains unresolved, and although Christina is experiencing financial difficulties, she continues to offer her support to the best of her ability.
Four years ago, Christina moved with her family to Creuse and has been looking for work ever since. As he explains to the French media TDN Since he arrived, the community of municipalities of Evaux-les-Bains have always helped him, doing temporary jobs that have allowed him to earn a living, mainly as cleaner or working cook in school cafeterias. Even so, she recognizes that the economy depends mainly on her husband. “We are managing as best we can, but with small children, the situation is becoming more and more complicated.”
Selling your home
Although Christina’s intention is to admire, the truth is that the lack of income has caused them to have to put up for sale the house that they had rented and that this couple had occupied. It is a tough measure, but one that they must take. “I would like them to be helped, for example, through social services. I want them to be safe and, at the same time, sell the house so they can breathe and get ahead,” he explains.
Since last summer, her story has attracted attention when she was invited to participate in the French television program Y’a que la vérité qui comptean initiative carried out by the couple who lives in their house. Since its broadcast, Christina has received messages with different points of view, some good and others not so good, especially through social networks. “Many people have thanked me and described me as generous, and that is exciting.”, he comments. Now, not everything has been words of support; There has also been criticism of its tenants. “On social networks, some are very hard on them, although I also receive messages of solidarity. But no one offers to take charge of the situation”, he adds.