At 91 years old, Gloria Gaynor finds herself in a deeply troubling situation. The spirited woman, known for her resilience, now spends her days bedridden in the home she’s cherished for years. However, the somber reality is that her family faces an impending eviction from this familiar haven.
Gaynor lives just outside of Philadelphia in Delaware County. Recent events have taken a distressing turn: her home was sold via a tax lien sale—a process initiated when an unpaid property tax bill went unresolved during the harsh realities of the COVID-19 pandemic. Buyers of the lien have signaled their intent to take possession of the property, and the family has been warned that this could involve the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office.
“She’s in a hospital bed,” expressed Gaynor’s daughter, Jackie Davis, capturing the anguish of the situation. “Are they going to lift the bed up with her in it and take her and put her on the steps?” The emotional weight of this question underscores the cruelty of the impending eviction, revealing the human side of legal and bureaucratic actions.
Living in Florida, Davis feels the urgency of the situation. With her mother’s health deteriorating, she is in search of suitable housing that accommodates both her family and her disabled mother. “I don’t have a proper place for her as yet,” she admitted, appealing for more time. This urgency paints a vivid picture of a family racing against the clock while navigating a heart-wrenching dilemma.
The roots of this crisis trace back to 2020. During the pandemic’s peak, Gaynor, fearing exposure to the virus, refrained from leaving her home and fell behind on her property taxes. Although she had the financial resources to pay, a payment made in 2021 went unaccounted for regarding those outstanding taxes. This miscommunication left her in the dark, unaware that the tax lien was subsequently prepared for auction.
When the tax lien was ultimately sold to CJD Group for $3,500 plus fees, the implications became devastating. Gaynor’s attorneys challenged the sale, arguing that her advanced age and slight dementia merited special consideration. Unfortunately, the courts consistently ruled in favor of the buyers, sidelining her family’s pleas for justice.
“This is a diamond-in-the-rough case,” articulated Alexander Barth, the attorney representing the family. He emphasized that this scenario is atypical; most tax sales feature abandoned properties rather than homes brimming with generational wealth. “This is stripping generational wealth from a family,” he added, noting that Gaynor’s home is her sole asset with minimal debt, underscoring the injustice faced by families like hers.
As the legal process enters its critical phase, Barth reveals a grim outlook. “This is essentially kind of the end game of the situation, unfortunately.” The tone conveys a sense of urgency, reflecting the family’s diminishing hope as they confront system failures that have compounded their pain.
Critics of the family’s predicament argue that Davis had ample time to prepare for such an outcome. They suggest options like seeking local assisted living facilities or relocating Gaynor to Florida. However, Davis firmly counters this perspective, expressing her belief that her mother would not thrive in a facility. “I’m praying,” she confided, reinforcing the emotional stakes at play and the desperate hope for a solution.
CJD Group and its legal representatives have remained silent, refusing to comment on the unfolding situation. This lack of transparency only deepens the family’s frustration as they navigate a complex legal landscape with little recourse.
Delaware County officials maintain that once property is sold at a tax sale and the deed transferred, it is up to the new owner to decide on occupancy changes. Only if a court issues a writ of possession does the Sheriff’s Office intervene, which, they noted, isn’t currently filed for Gaynor’s residence. While officials acknowledge the emotional toll such cases can take, they emphasize their obligation to adhere to state law.
As it stands, Gloria Gaynor remains in the home she envisioned passing down to her children. Yet, with ownership changes and eviction threats looming, the pressing question now is whether compassion will prevail before her locks are changed, highlighting a broader dialogue about the intersection of law, health, and humanity in times of crisis.