‘They took everything I had’ Veteran left living in car after being evicted from his own home over sale of ‘cash rich, poor house’

COMMUNITY members are struggling to find housing for a local veteran after he was evicted from his home and left to live in his car.

Fred Meisberger, 80, was kicked out of his home in Cincinnati, Ohio, after selling it on a lease.

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Leasing programs are typically pursued as a financial decision, allowing the homeowner to sell their home while staying in it and paying rent.

Meisberger lived in his home for 27 years before selling it on a lease, understanding that the transaction meant he and his family would continue to live there.

Instead, everyone was kicked to the curb and forced to live out of a vehicle.

The unidentified company purchased the home for $147,500, despite holding an estimated value of $212,000.

Meisberger paid 6 months of rent in advance, at a constant rate, but everything soon changed.

After those six months, he claims the company began increasing the cost of rent steadily until it became unaffordable.

“It’s very difficult,” Meisberger said.

“It breaks my heart to think I put myself in this situation. I don’t know how I did it, but I did it.”

“They took almost everything I own,” Meisberger said. NBC24.

His daughter, stepson and two dogs were forced to live in a car he bought as temporary shelter for $2,000 with the last of his savings.

“I just used up everything I had,” Meisberger said.

“Now I’m homeless. I just have nowhere to go.”

The $2,000 was all that was left from the sale of the house, after paying the taxes, accumulating bills and legal fees.

Although he and his family are now homeless, Meisberger now also worries about his previous tenants.

While he owned it, Meisberger had an apartment on the property that he rented to a couple.

Then, a year ago, the couple could no longer pay their rent, but Meisberger refused to leave them homeless and allowed them to stay.

With their own eviction, the couple Meisberger was renting to was also displaced and now lives on the streets.

A ROOF OVER YOUR HEAD

It appears that Meisberg’s good karma as a landowner came in the form of community assistance.

After seeing Meisberger’s situation, a fellow veteran quickly opened up.

Joyce Lewis was linked to Meisberg by News 12 after she reached out her hand wanting to help the man.

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“I thought I could share my home,” Lewis explained.

“I have three beds and they accommodate three people. And I also felt sorry for the dogs, because I know how difficult it is to find a place to live, to find temporary accommodation when you have a dog. So they deserve a second chance too.”

Meisberg said it wasn’t so strange to accept Lewis’ offer; he knew that was what he would do if the roles were reversed.

“It was good,” he said.

“I didn’t know, man, I just took the opportunity to come in and introduce myself and meet someone who was as caring as I was.”

Lewis says many people disapprove of her kindness, but she doesn’t mind.

“A lot of people will say, you’re crazy! You don’t know these people,” she recalled.

“I’ve been called worse. I thought they could help me too, not financially, but just emotionally to have someone to live with.”

Meanwhile, Meisberg describes his and Lewis’ relationship as more than just a philanthropic landlord and an unlucky tenant.

“She’s taking care of me and I’m going to take care of her. I’ll make it,” Meisberg said.

The entire community rallied behind Meisberg, with News 12 receiving multiple emails from individuals and organizations offering to help pay her rent and provide her with relief.

An individual set up a GoFundMe page to help raise $25,000 so the man and his family can recover.

The fundraiser raised nearly $9,000 of its goal and calls on other members of the community to help a man who “served our country with honor.”

“Every donation, no matter how small, will make a significant difference in the life of this deserving veteran,” the description reads.

“Let’s come together as a community to show Fred that his sacrifices are not forgotten and that he is not alone in this fight for justice.”