Drusilla Francis has lived in her home in Dorchester for more than 20 years, had two foster children, and played an active role in creating community and reducing crime in her neighborhood. Vacancies in her rental units put Drusilla behind on mortgage payments for the first time ever, and she asked US Bank to negotiate repayment. The bank gave her wrong information and delayed correspondence until after they had foreclosed.

Like all former homeowners, after foreclosure, Drusilla was a tenant of the bank. City Life advised her to offer to pay rent, which she was able to do for a short time. The bank eventually refused to accept her rent.  US Bank raised the stakes and threatened to evict Drusilla from her home; it was then, along with City Life, that Drusilla Francis demanded to pay rent. The bank refused and started the eviction process.

Massachusetts Rep. Liz Malia and City Councilor Charles Yancey joined with 30 City Life members to take direct action and hand-deliver Drusilla’s rent check to US Bank.  Since she had offered to pay rent to stay in her home, hers was considered a no-fault eviction and this increased her ability to fight the eviction.

On an early August morning when the constable and police showed up at Drusilla’s door to evict her, City Life had mobilized more than 100 supporters to block the eviction. An offer was made by Boston Community Capital (BCC), a nonprofit bank, to buy Drusilla’s home from US Bank, so that she could renegotiate her mortgage payments and buy back her home at its real value. US Bank initially would not consider the offer but after much public pressure as a result of the eviction blockade accepted this offer. Drusilla is now in the process of being able to repurchase her home from BCC.