A Boston mother recently expressed gratitude for last year’s holiday support amid ongoing struggles with housing and health challenges. In a letter to a local charity program, she thanked organizers for the toys her two daughters received, noting how much the girls appreciated the gifts.

The mother’s note briefly outlined a harrowing experience of displacement and hardship. After moving between emergency shelters and losing many belongings to mold and a severe mouse infestation, she and her children have now settled into a safe home, an important step as she works to rebuild their lives.

In a phone interview, the woman shared that her letter was intentionally concise because her difficulties are extensive and deeply personal. Two years ago, she and her daughters moved into a federally subsidized apartment in the city, which quickly revealed dangerous living conditions. She described the unit as “very toxic,” with mold infesting the walls and a broken shower that was unusable. During winter, the heating system malfunctioned, causing indoor temperatures to soar to 90 degrees, and attempts to raise these concerns to the city’s inspectional services were met with retaliation from building management. According to her account, heat was shut off entirely, and eviction threats were issued.

The apartment showed further signs of neglect, including falling ceiling tiles and broken wood floors, with one daughter suffering splinters. The most distressing problem, however, was a large-scale mouse infestation. The rodents were gnawing through floorboards, causing fear among the children. The mother reported killing more than 30 mice, but they persisted in the apartment. Toys and stuffed animals were discarded due to contamination, and the children remained traumatized by the experience.

Compounding these housing woes, the mother was diagnosed with colon cancer during her time living there. She recounted her battle through treatment, and while now declared cancer-free, she continues to deal with the lingering physical effects, feeling weak and limited in her capacity to work.

Despite these obstacles, she remains committed to providing stability and a better future for her children. The family’s recent move to safer housing has offered a crucial foundation for recovery and rebuilding. Her story underscores the intersecting challenges faced by families dealing with unsafe living conditions, health crises, and economic uncertainty.