Tulsa World: Judy Landers: Three families sharing one house

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Judy Landers: Three families sharing one house

Judy Landers owns the home in Ochelata, where her daughter Tammy Sprauge and daughter-in-law Cyndi Matthews live. They share the house with Matthews' daughter and her husband. ADAM WISNESKI / Tulsa World

By GINNIE GRAHAM & MIKE AVERILL World Staff Writers
Published: 8/16/2009 2:24 AM
Last Modified: 8/16/2009 7:26 AM

For the full stories, video interviews and additional photos on the families featured, go to tulsaworld.com/findinghelp

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In the town of Ochelata, south of Bartlesville, members of one family have learned to depend on each other.

"People say Bartlesville's not feeling it. It's been horrible for my kids and their kids," Judy Landers said. "There doesn't seem to be an end in sight."

Landers' daughter, daughter-in-law, granddaughter-in-law and her husband and their child are all living in a house owned by Landers.

"There's three families living in one house and not paying rent. They're just trying to keep up with the utilities," she said.

She does charge them $25 a month, money that she puts away in a savings account for them. When they are able to move out, there will be money for deposits, she hopes.

"Rent is so high that you can't make it on minimum wage," Landers said. "You can't make it ahead to get rent and deposits."

For help with prescriptions and medical service, her family relies on Morton Family Health Clinic. Other than that, they depend on each other, despite the inconvenience of living in such tight quarters.

"It's hectic to live like that," she said.

Cyndi Matthews, Landers' daughter-in-law, works part-time as an in-home caregiver and her daughter is working two jobs.

"It's been pretty rough," Matthews said.

"Home health is hard because your patients die, and with the recession, nobody has money to hire you."

Her sister-in-law works with the same patient.

"She could die tomorrow and we'd both be out of a job," Matthews said.

Being able to depend on family is the only thing getting them by, Matthews said.

"Words are not possible to describe how important it is for us. Without, we'd be on the streets, or worse," she said.

Landers agreed.

"I don't know what they'd do if I didn't pick them up," she said.

By GINNIE GRAHAM & MIKE AVERILL World Staff Writers

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	Report Comment scooter2, (8/16/2009 7:45:37 AM) Times are hard. We see all the signs of the end of time. Lots of people having financial problems. I have always had them, so it isn't as devastating.
	Report Comment JENNIE, SPERRY (8/16/2009 11:02:26 AM) I did notice the one lady smoking a cig. They cost a lot of money. Maybe could be used for food.I know things are hard but sometimes we have to give somethings up.

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