OSKALOOSA,IOWA -- Some shelter residents in Oskaloosa said goodbye to their homes Friday.
The Good Samaritan Inn houses several people. But lately, for residents like Lisa McCoy, it's been a house of horrors, "First thing this morning the cable service was cut to the building. Telephone service was also cut at 10 a.m. this morning."
These people in need found out Monday morning that they had five days to move out before services were turned off. McCoy, who is blind in one eye, was outraged. "There were things that could've been done to help prep these people for this; to be thrown out," McCoy said.
Residents say former owner Joyce Wheeler owed $100,000 in back taxes. They were told that she would take care of it but never did. Now they have to pay the price.
Robin Pfalcgraf, Mahaska County Homelessness Coalition President, knew something was suspicious. "The homelessness coalition which Joyce is a member of has asked her repeatedly, month after month she's come, what the status is and if she's going to close. If she would commit to a minimum three weeks notice," McCoy said.
However, Wheeler says she tried to pay all finances and advised her residents to make moving arrangements. "I gave them several referrals where they could get help from. All along as they've lived here. I've encouraged them to look for an apartment or housing," Wheeler said.
Of the 35 people housed here, only seven were left. McCoy was lucky. Her husband who now has a job found an apartment for them. But she warns people to be careful, and don't believe everything that you hear, "You can be told something to your face, but when you find out on [the] internet how much you've been lied to, that's just appalling."
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