Evicted trio thankful for being heard

STRATFORD, Conn. (WTNH) - Two disabled tenants along with a third tenant, evicted from their Bridgeport home now have a warm place to stay for the next few nights thanks to one generous stranger.

Lisa Flack, Ruth Bihary and Chuck Wiberg were evicted from their apartment on Thursday morning. One of the women is wheelchair bound and Wiberg suffers from cerebral palsy, and uses a walker.

After the story aired on News 8, Patricia Savanella, the President of Trinity Insurance Group wanted to help. The trio said they are extremely thankful.

The state of Connecticut paid enough for the trio to stay at Rodeway Inn in Stratford for one night. Savanella put up enough money for the trio to be able to stay at the Rodeway Inn until Tuesday. Savanella also paid for meal expenses. She didn't want to see the trio spend another long day waiting around with unanswered questions.

After getting evicted, the trio could have easily ended up on the streets. They had no money, and no help. According to Social Services, there is only one shelter in Bridgeport that is handicap accessible, and that shelter was full, so a waiting game began.

"We came here for like eight hours while they decide what to do with us," said Wiberg.

News 8 caught up with the trio today, to see how they are doing.

Wiberg said that if his story hadn't aired, he may still be on the street in the cold, wondering when he would get his next meal.

"There was no money for food, no money for shelter, there was nowhere for these people to go, other than on the streets tonight, which is just inexcusable," said Savanella.

The trio is thankful for Savanella's generosity. Wiberg is celebrating his 64th birthday today. He was even able to enjoy a slice of cake.

"I love it, there's good people in the world, good people," said Wiberg.

"That's fantastic, there are nice people in the world," said Lisa Flack. "It's just been pretty overwhelming for me."

According to a source at a state agency, the city of Bridgeport has a legal obligation to make sure that for every shelter bed it provides someone without a disability, it has another bed for someone who is disabled.

The trio wants to know why it took the financial generosity of one private resident to keep them off the streets for the next few nights.

"The more people that have this problem, the more people who get exposed, then the powers that be needed to step up to the plate," said Wiberg.

On Tuesday, the private funds will run out. For those who would like to help out these people and others facing the same problem who are disabled, call Savanella at 860-485-9199, or mail checks payable to The Homeless Fund.

The Homeless Fund
c/o Trinity Insurance Group
179 Wildcat Hill Road
Harwinton, CT 06791

All money donated will go straight to the fund which has been established through the Bank of America. If you include your email address in the envelope, Savanella will email you a copy of the bank statement each month.