Yet a homeowner, a woman finds herself on the street and unemployed because her house is squatted by a family

Audrey est forcée de vivre dans la rue depuis que sa maison est squattée (ILLUSTRATION) MAXPPP – Philippe Turpin

Audrey, a former restaurateur and owner of a small house in Teich, now lives on the streets of Bordeaux. While her property is illegally occupied, she fights for her survival with the help of friends and a few precarious jobs.

Everything changed for Audrey with the Covid-19 crisis. Owner of a hotel bar-restaurant, she was forced to close the doors of her establishment during the first lockdown. This closure marked the end of her business and the loss of her official accommodation. All she had left was a small house in Teich, which she had carefully kept in case of hard times.

Thinking doing well, Audrey decides to accommodate a family in difficulty in her house reports France 3. “A family was living in one of my hotel rooms while I had this house: I offered them to live inside” quot;, she explains. But what was supposed to be temporary help is becoming a nightmare: this family has been living in their home for two years now, without her cannot recover it.

A Legal Battle Without Issues

Determined to get her property back, Audrey turns to the courts. Unfortunately, the procedures she initiates do not succeed. “They promised me they would leave in October, but they never did. Every time, they say they will leave, but it never happens”. Despaired by the slowness and uncertainty of the process, she finds herself without resources or a roof over her head.

Today, Audrey wanders the streets of Bordeaux, trying to find a job. But without a fixed address, her chances are slim. “I don't have a place to live, so they don't take me”, she confides to our colleagues, with a heavy heart. Every Saturday, she finds a little dignity by working at the Saint-Michel market, thanks to Josiane, a merchant who reached out to her.

An urgent call for help

Despite Josiane's help, Audrey's situation remains critical. “She's at rock bottom, she won't survive the winter without help”, Josiane worries. Audrey sleeps badly, experiences anxiety and can no longer make ends meet, our colleagues indicate. While her dogs had to be entrusted to the SPA, she still hopes to be able to get back on her feet, with a little support.

A piece of garden where to pitch a tent, a converted van, a stable job in catering… The solutions to help her are simple but crucial. Her friends are thinking of creating a kitty to help her get by. Any help, no matter how small, could be a game changer for Audrey.