A federal employee in West Palm Beach, Florida, is grappling with eviction after his apartment management company denied his request for extra time to pay rent during the recent government shutdown. Francisco Isern, who has dedicated over 20 years to military service and currently works in IT for the Department of Veterans Affairs, was required to fulfill his duties without pay due to the shutdown, which lasted over a month.
As the shutdown progressed into its second month, Isern found himself unable to pay his rent of $1,750 for the month of November. This marked the first time in a decade living in his West Palm Beach apartment that he missed a payment. In an effort to resolve the situation, he reached out to the property management company, explaining his circumstances and requesting additional time to pay once he received his back pay.
“I think I have a fair reason why I’m not, you know? It’s out of my control,” Isern told a local media outlet. Unfortunately, his appeal went unanswered until he received a text message stating, “Good morning, Francisco. Eviction has been filed. Total balance with filing fees is $2,427.”
The message not only conveyed the financial details but also alarmed Isern about the implications of an eviction notice on his rental history. “It’s a serious business, you know? You put [an] eviction notice on my record. What are my chances of getting leased under my name after this?” he expressed.
The situation has drawn attention from community leaders, including Patrick Franklin, president and CEO of the Urban League of Palm Beach County. He called Isern’s predicament “a travesty.” Franklin noted that many federal workers are struggling to meet their financial obligations during the shutdown, though none have faced eviction until now. He emphasized the importance of awareness regarding how government shutdowns impact taxpaying citizens.
“We wish we had the funds to help him in this situation, but a lot of our funds for emergency relief are tied to government funding,” Franklin stated. He encouraged federal workers to seek understanding from their landlords, a strategy that Isern attempted but ultimately did not yield results.
The property management company did not respond to multiple requests for comment regarding their decision. Isern expressed frustration at the lack of communication, saying, “I give respect and I expect respect back. And that was disrespectful on their part.”
With the government shutdown now over and back pay anticipated, Isern is optimistic about retaining his home. However, he remains determined to contest the eviction filing, fearing it could tarnish his reputation. “My name, my reputation is on the line, and they’re threatening my reputation right now,” he explained.
Isern expects to receive his first missed paycheck early next week. Meanwhile, the Urban League has offered to assist in negotiations with his landlord to resolve the issue amicably.
This troubling situation highlights the broader impact of government shutdowns on federal employees and the challenges they face during uncertain times.
