Reddit user “OkNumber787” posted to the “Am I the A–hole” subreddit on Friday, August 16, asking if he was wrong for telling his dad that he was “effectively homeless.” In his post, OkNumber787, a 22-year-old male, explained that he had moved out of his father’s house a year and a half ago. According to him, the agreement between them was that he could always come back home if he was struggling financially, given that he was a university student working full-time. Their plan was for him to move back in with his father starting in September, as his current lease was ending on September 1.
However, this arrangement was unexpectedly changed when his father texted him saying that his girlfriend was not comfortable with OkNumber787 living in the house. His father told him this just two weeks before his lease was up, leaving OkNumber787 scrambling to find an alternate living situation. The girlfriend’s concern was that she did not want to hear OkNumber787 in the basement late at night as he often came home late from work, though he assured them he would be quiet. Despite OkNumber787’s efforts to reason with his father, he was met with refusal.
Feeling frustrated, OkNumber787 expressed to his father that he was effectively being made homeless at short notice, putting him in a difficult position. He highlighted the fact that they had an agreement for months about him moving back in, making it unfair for his father to change his mind so abruptly. As it stood, finding a new place to live by September 1 seemed impossible, and OkNumber787 would likely have to couch-surf for an undetermined length of time. He sought advice from Reddit users, questioning if he was in the wrong for feeling this way.
In a follow-up comment, OkNumber787 mentioned that he had found potential living arrangements with a few coworkers willing to take him in as an additional roommate, as well as his grandparents offering him a place to stay. Despite the options available, these were not without their drawbacks as they were not located near his job or school, making his commute longer. OkNumber787 acknowledged that these were currently his best options given the circumstances.
The responses to OkNumber787’s post on the AITA subreddit heavily favored him, with almost all users agreeing that he was not the one at fault in this situation. Many criticized his father for going back on their agreement and prioritizing his girlfriend’s wishes over his son’s basic needs. Users pointed out that his father’s lack of notice was unfair and not in line with typical housing policies, especially given the promise he had made to OkNumber787. The consensus was that OkNumber787’s father was acting immaturely and irresponsibly in this matter, failing to uphold his commitment to his son.
Overall, the Reddit community rallied behind OkNumber787, showing support for his predicament and offering advice on how to navigate his sudden housing crisis. The overwhelming sentiment was that he was justified in feeling upset and that his father’s actions were unreasonable and unkind. OkNumber787’s story serves as a reminder of the importance of honoring commitments and responsibilities, especially when they involve loved ones. In the face of adversity, he demonstrated resilience and resourcefulness in finding alternative solutions to his living situation.
