North Triangle News

While many landlords have been forgiving and understanding of the hardship the pandemic has placed on their tenants, one Franklin County family's landlord has said he can no longer afford to let them miss paying the rent.

Della O'Neal, her husband and four children will find themselves on the street soon, just days remaining until they are evicted. The family was already struggling to get by, working two jobs herself as well as her husband working.

“I got hit by a drunk driver leaving home … I lost my car, and I was in the hospital and on top of that, I lost my job,” O'Neal told CBS17.com for its Sept. 21 report.

Soon thereafter her husband was laid off as well. Both O'Neal and her husband have filed for unemployment, but neither of them has heard back. 

In the beginning, the landlord was patient with them, but after three months of not paying rent, the landlord took the family to court.

“I tried to tell the judge you know where are me and my kids supposed to go," O'Neal said. "We have no place and no money because I’ve been out of work.” In response, the judge told her, “I have to pay rent, so you have to pay rent too."

The Franklin County director of Social Services told CBS17.com there are currently no protections in place to prevent evictions, but they encourage residents to contact the county for assistance. Those in Wake County facing eviction can visit the Wake Network of Care website.