If the agency provided you with housing, it must comply with state law. According to Utah Admin. Code 501-7-7(3), housing provided by licensed adoption agencies must comply with these standards:

(a) housing is in compliance with health, fire, zoning, and other applicable laws and regulations;

(b) if the housing meets the definition of Residential Support (R501-22) the agency shall obtain a Residential Support license through the Office of Licensing;

(c) housing is clean, well-maintained and adequately furnished;

(d) birth mothers shall not share bedrooms with other birth mothers;

(e) laundry equipment and supplies shall be available; and

(f) adequate nutritious food, or resources to obtain food, is available.

You could be considered a long-term guest, or a tenant, depending on the circumstances.

Long-term Guest: If you've been allowed to stay at a place for 48 hours or more without paying rent or providing something of value in return, and you are not an immediate family member of the owner or renter, you are considered a long-term guest.

Tenant: If you have a rental agreement (written or verbal) and you either pay rent, do work in exchange for living there, or help with household costs like utilities or groceries, you are considered a tenant.

Learn more about this from the Utah State Courts.

If you believe you’re being wrongfully evicted or removed from the property, contact Utah Legal Service by calling 801-328-8891. Because these issues are usually time-sensitive, it’s important to act fast.

Learn more here about how to return home here.

If you have been told to leave the housing unit arranged by the adoption worker in a short amount of time, it may be necessary for you to seek out emergency shelter in Utah before returning home. Check out our resources page to find shelter for you and your children now.