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Heartless Act During Holidays: 83-Year-Old Sacramento Woman Facing Eviction

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) - An 83-year-old Sacramento woman is facing a court-approved eviction just 12 days before Christmas.

"Right now I don't know, I'm just in a quandary. I don't know what to do," said Dorothy Morris.

It's a heartless act in the heart of the holiday season. The Christmas lights are up, but inside the gates of this senior apartment complex, 83-year-old tenant Dorothy Morris isn't feeling much of the holiday spirit.

"I don't have any relatives. The only relative is my nephew and he's in Dallas, Texas. I don't have any relatives here," said Morris.

Morris is alone and facing a court-approved eviction.

"Well it's terrible. It's spoiling my holiday, that's for sure," said Morris.

Morris showed us a photo of her from the 1950s when she was a clerical worker in Sacramento. Now she lives off $800 a month from social security payments. Her rent is $600, but Section 8 housing has covered most of that allowing Morris to stay…until now.

"This is not a time to have something like this -- to be put out on the street this time of year," she said.

Morris believes she's being evicted as payback over complaints she's made about heat in her unit. But a judge wouldn't allow her to make that case in court, ruling her landlord can evict her after deciding to no longer accept Section 8 housing payments from Morris or any other tenant.

"Well, I've been treated unfair and I'm really mad and upset about it. It's just not right what has happened to me," said Morris.

We called attorney Peter Bixie who represents tenants fighting eviction.

"California law generally protects the long-term interests of property owners, more so than any other type of litigant," said Bixie.

The manager at Sacramento Manor hung up on us when we called her.

"It's really nerve-racking…very stressful…especially [an] old person like me. I'm 84 almost," said Morris.

Dorothy Morris won't be doing any Christmas wrapping…only Christmas packing.

""Oh no, they just evict me. No, they don't help you find anything, they just tell you to move. Get out by a certain day," said Morris.

Dorothy has until January 3 to get out of her apartment. It's easy to guess what's on the top of her Christmas list this year.

Her story is now getting attention from local housing agencies. The Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency, Resources for Independent Living, and Adult Protective Services have all contacted her to provide assistance.

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