LOTT, Texas — Adelia Martinez has had enough of constant leasing violations from the Lott Housing Authority (LHA).
She's been living under the LHA for two years and says the issues began when her A/C went out at her home on Aug. 17, 2023.
"I went 37 days without A/C," Martinez explained. "This was during triple-digit heat last year."
Martinez believes the A/C issue fueled LHA Executive Director Deborah Goffney to begin issuing out unwarranted violations. Martinez also believes she's being discriminated against because of her disability.
"I am dyslexic so that's why my dad is pretty much my overseer," Martinez shared. "I also have a physical disability, it's called spinal muscular atrophy and it kills all of my spinal cords and my muscles."
Since August 2023, Martinez has received 17 leasing violations. Some of them are for having a pet, allowing someone to live in her home, failing to reinstall her housing and failure to report her second income. These and the rest of the 17 violations are false, according to Martinez.
Martinez sent rebuttal letters to every single violation she received from Goffney but never received a response.
Martinez, along with her father Roy, attended a number of LHA board commissioner meetings to share what they had be dealing with. Martinez said her father was belittled and disrespected by both Goffney and the commissioners.
"They can't treat people this way," Martinez added. "I have been having anxiety since this whole thing started."
According to Martinez and her family, several families have experienced discrimination at the hands of Goffney and the Housing Authority is in direct violation of the Fair Housing Act, Section 504, the Privacy Act and Freedom of Speech.
Martinez has contacted the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Congressman Pete Sessions and the Texas Department of Justice explaining their situation and looking for help. As of Sept. 2, they have received no response back from anyone.
Martinez also worked with an investigator with the Texas Workforce Civil Rights Division. Nothing has come of their investigation into the LHA as of yet.
So, Martinez hired a lawyer, Brandon Masin, and filed a lawsuit against the Housing Authority for disability discrimination and retaliation. Masin is also representing two other tenants involved in a similar suit.
There was a pre-trial with Martinez along with another tenant suing the LHA back in July. They all hope to be a voice to the disabled community who are experiencing these same issues with the LHA but are reluctant to speak out.
"Half of these people are afraid to speak out and I guess I'm giving the voice to the disabled people and other residents here," Martinez continued. "There's laws protecting you and if you don't abide by the laws, this is what's going to happen."
Martinez received her third eviction notice in August 2024 and LHA board commissioners filed a lawsuit against Martinez for refusing to complete her annual certification.
This trial is set to begin Sept. 5 at the Rosebud City Council office at 10 a.m. This is where the LHA will decide if they will allow Martinez to stay in her home.
"If I lose my court case I will be homeless and living in my car," Martinez told 6 News.
Roy Martinez is hosting a protest at the trial on behalf of his daughter and the rest of the disabled community. That protest will begin at 9 a.m.
"I'm asking all volunteers to come out and make their voices heard," Roy Martinez said.
On Sept. 25, Martinez's lawsuit trial against the LHA is set to begin in Marlin.
Later down the road, this case will likely go to federal court in McLennan County.
6 News will continue to follow this story as it unfolds.
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