PHOENIX — A Valley family who has lived in the City of Phoenix affordable housing for years is now starting over after taking their fight against the city to court.
Ryan and Tahira Handeland and their five kids have lived at Camelback Properties for six years. Last week, they received an immediate eviction notice after they say they asked for things to be fixed inside their apartment. This week, they reached a settlement agreement with the city.
"They were saying that we had cost $5,600 in damage," Ryan Handeland said.
The Handelands say the apartment was in disrepair when they moved into it following a fire at a previous unit in the complex.
"They're trying to say that all of this stuff was due to our negligence," Ryan Handeland said to the court Tuesday. "However, the other property management company was fully aware we've asked for repairs and it seems retaliatory."
A deal between The Handelands and the City of Phoenix was reached outside of court. It was accepted Thursday by a judge in Maricopa County Justice Court.
The settlement allows for the eviction case against The Handelands to be dismissed and sealed if they move out and turn in their keys before August 15.
"The mission of the City of Phoenix Housing Department is to keep people housed. Eviction is always a last resort," City of Phoenix spokesperson Kristin Couturier said in part of a statement.
The City of Phoenix did not agree to an interview with 12News. Instead, a city spokesperson sent an emailed statement maintaining that the tenants caused the damage.
"The City of Phoenix denies it acted in a retaliatory manner in this matter. During yesterday’s court hearing the parties reached a voluntary and mutual settlement," Couturier added in part of the statement.
Lieu Nguyen, a member of the Valley Tenants Union, came to The Handeland's hearing on Thursday in support of their case.
"I think because they fought back they were able to get like, you know, a couple weeks to stay in," Nguyen said. "But, you know, it's still like an injustice to its tenants whose landlord is the City of Phoenix."
Now with the settlement agreement, the Handeland family is searching for someplace affordable amidst a 270,000 housing unit shortage, according to an ASU research report. That shortage leaves housing expensive not just for the Handelands but for many.
"It's a win because we won't have a damaging record, but also it's difficult. It's a struggle for our family because now we have to find somewhere else to go," Tahira Handeland said.
Like The Handelands, most people who are going through an eviction do not have an attorney.
If you or someone you know is facing an eviction you can contact Community Legal Services by clicking here or call 211.
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