Guitar teacher with cerebral palsy fears homelessness as evictions resume

LANCASTER COUNTY, Penn. (WHP) — Renters could be forced out of their homes after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled Thursday, August 26, the CDC doesn’t have the authority to extend the eviction moratorium until Oct. 3. Nearly 3.5 million U.S. renters could face eviction.

Matt Witmer of Lancaster County said he is one of many trying to get answers as to what happens next.

Witmer had to stop teaching guitar lessons when the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020.

“It totally shut down all my lessons. There weren’t going to be any more guitar lessons and, you know, that’s been a struggle,” Witmer said.

Since then, Witmer learned his current home will soon be put on the market and he has to find somewhere else to live. But finding a new home hasn’t been easy.

“There are services available but they’re all backed up. The earliest I’ve been told is 2-3 years,” Witmer said.

He’s also looking for something that’s handicap-accessible. Witmer was born with cerebral palsy and used a cane to get around until a few years ago when he broke his leg. He’s now wheelchair-bound.

“There’s a lot of places in their ad, they said is wheelchair accessible, but it’s really not,” Witmer explained.

Not all hope is lost. Witmer’s former student and now friend, Tammie Hackman, set up a GoFundMe page to help Matt until he finds something permanent.

"I saw a post that he said ‘I’ll sleep on the garage floor, I just need a roof over my head. I’m losing my house,'" Tammie explained. "I’ve known Matt and he’s not a person who counts on or relies on other people. He’s extremely independent."

“I don’t know if I have the words to express what it’s like to be facing homelessness," Witmer said.

Hackman wants to get Witmer set up so he only has to move once and can start his business up again. “I don’t want him to have to worry in a year or two years. So that’s why this GoFundMe means so much. I’d like to do something more impactful for him and find a long-term solution,” Hackman explained.

“I know I’m going to bounce back from this somehow. I just have to find a landing spot, but you know, I’m hoping something turns up. Something that’s workable,” Witmer said.

On Friday, August 27 Department of Human Services (DHS) Acting Secretary Meg Snead, encouraged individuals at risk of eviction to apply for rental assistance. Congress approved $46.5 billion in rental assistance in March.