A federal employee in West Palm Beach is confronting eviction after his apartment management company declined his request for additional time to pay rent during the recent government shutdown. Francisco Isern, who has dedicated two decades to the Army and now works in IT for the Department of Veterans Affairs, was required to continue working without pay due to the critical nature of his job.
As the shutdown extended into November 2023, Isern found himself unable to meet his rent obligation for the first time in a decade. His monthly rent is $1,750, and he sent a letter to the property management company explaining his situation and requesting a brief extension until he received back pay. In his letter, he expressed confidence in the fairness of his request, stating, “I think I have a fair reason why I’m not, you know? It’s out of my control.”
Unfortunately, the management company did not respond until Isern received a text message stating, “Good morning, Francisco. Eviction has been filed. Total balance with filing fees is $2,427.00.” While the financial burden of the fees is significant, Isern expressed deeper concerns about the impact of an eviction notice on his rental history and future housing opportunities.
Community Response and Support
Patrick Franklin, president and CEO of the Urban League of Palm Beach County, labeled the situation a “travesty.” He noted that many federal workers are struggling to pay their bills during the shutdown, but Isern’s case is particularly alarming. “I wish we had the funds to help him in this situation, but a lot of our emergency relief funds are tied to government funding,” Franklin said.
Franklin emphasized the broader implications of the shutdown on federal employees. He remarked, “Taxpaying Americans here in this country that are being affected all the way down the line, and for us not to have that knowledge to feel that? Shame on us.” He indicated that his organization is ready to assist Isern and other affected workers in negotiating with landlords.
Despite the eviction filing, Isern remains hopeful as the government shutdown has now ended. He anticipates receiving his first missed paycheck shortly, which should alleviate his immediate financial concerns. Nevertheless, he is committed to removing the eviction notice from his record, citing the potential damage to his reputation and future rental prospects. “My name, my reputation is on the line, and they’re threatening my reputation right now,” Isern stated.
Attempts to reach the management company for comments regarding the eviction filing were unsuccessful. Isern concluded, “I give respect, and I expect respect back. And that was disrespectful on their part.”
As the situation develops, the Urban League has offered to intervene on Isern’s behalf, demonstrating community solidarity in the face of federal workers’ struggles during challenging times.
