LOTT, Texas— Adelia Martinez is tired of the Lott Housing Authority’s (LHA) persistent leasing breaches. She has been residing under the LHA for the past two years, and she claims that on August 17, 2023, her home’s air conditioning unit failed. Martinez said, “I went 37 days without A/C.” “This was during triple-digit heat last year.”
Martinez thinks Deborah Goffney, the executive director of LHA, started issuing unjustified infractions as a result of the A/C problem. Martinez feels that her impairment is another reason why she is the target of discrimination.
Martinez said, “My dad is basically my overseer because I am dyslexic.” “I also have a physical disability, it’s called spinal muscular atrophy and it kills all of my spinal cords and my muscles.” Martinez has had 17 leasing infractions since August 2023.
Second source of income
A few of them include owning a pet, letting someone dwell in her house, neglecting to replace her housing, and not disclosing her second source of income. Martinez claims that these are also fake, along with the remaining 17 infractions.
Martinez has reached out to Congressman Pete Sessions, the Texas Department of Justice, and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to explain their predicament and request assistance. As of September 2, they have not heard back from anyone.
Martinez collaborated with a Texas Workforce Civil Rights Division investigator as well. Their probe of the LHA has yielded no results thus far. Martinez then retained the services of attorney Brandon Masin to bring a complaint alleging retaliation and handicap discrimination against the Housing Authority.
Masin is defending two additional renters in a related lawsuit. Martinez and another renter who was suing the LHA were involved in a pre-trial back in July. All of them want to give the disabled community, who face similar problems with the LHA but are afraid to speak up, a voice.
Afraid to raise voice
“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 concluded. “There’s laws protecting you and if you don’t abide by the laws, this is what’s going to happen.”
In August 2024, Martinez was served with her third notice of eviction. The LHA board commissioners then sued Martinez for failing to fulfill her annual certification requirements. This trial is scheduled to start at 10 a.m. on September 5 in the Rosebud City Council office.
Martinez’s ability to remain in her house will be determined at this point by the LHA. Roy Martinez declared, “I’m asking all volunteers to come out and make their voices heard.”
Martinez’s legal trial against the LHA is scheduled to start in Marlin on September 25. This lawsuit will probably end up in McLennan County federal court at some point in the future.
