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Woman, 83, Grateful For Outpouring Of Support After Being Evicted

SACRAMENTO (CBS13) – Dorothy Morris has her whole life in boxes – not an easy feat for an 83-year-old woman.

"I've never had to move in a hurry like this," Morris said.

It's been less than a month since the owners of her apartment won an eviction case against her.

She began packing days before Christmas. But her angel granted a late Christmas wish.

Come move out day this week, Morris will have a new home to move into.

"I would have been out on the street," Morris said.

Let's start from the beginning. Early this winter, Morris says she complained that her apartment heat wasn't working.

A month later, she got a notice to evict.

"They did everything in their power to get me out of here," Morris said.

Sacramento Manor took Morris to court, saying the complex no longer accepts Section 8 renters. That is, anyone paying with federally subsidized housing vouchers.

But after Morris' story hit the media, help poured in.

People protested outside her apartment and local housing organizations teamed up to help.

"I don't know what I would have done if they hadn't felt sorry for me," Morris said.

They not only set her up with movers, they found her an apartment just down the street in a matter of days.

And there's more.

"The other issues are constitutional issues," said Morris' attorney is Christopher Fry.

Fry is a local attorney who fights for homeowner's rights. He got wind of the story and decided to defend Morris on a pro bono basis.

"I had to do something," Fry said.

Fry believes the eviction is unlawful.

"To unilaterally say I'm just gonna do away with Section 8 after they've been here, seems to be a problem and I think the appellate court and supreme court need to make a ruling on the issue, because there isn't one at this point," Fry said.

For now, Morris just wants to settle in and get some rest.

"Moving not easy, period," Morris said.

Morris moves into her new apartment on Tuesday. As for Sacramento Manor, CBS13 reached out to them but have not heard back as of Sunday night.

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