Detroit Free Press
In January we told you about Texana Hollis, the 101-year-old woman who had been evicted from her home in Detroit after her son failed to pay property taxes linked to a reverse mortgage. Despite being told she could go back to her home, there was another hitch when the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) said her house “was completely unsuitable for a person to live in,” and forbid her to return. Well, finally things have turned around for Ms. Hollis and she is on her way to being back in her cherished home.
When Tuesdays with Morrie author and Detroit Free Press columnist Mitch Albom came across this woman’s this story, he was motivated to act. Through his charity S.A.Y. Detroit, Ms. Hollis’ home has been purchased from HUD and volunteers are now helping to renovate the house. Tomorrow, the organization will give Ms. Hollis the keys to the house Mitch said she never should have lost.
“The mark of a society is how it treats its neediest citizens, especially its neediest senior citizens. Texana Hollis should never have been thrown out — no matter what mistakes her son made — and it should not have taken this long to get her back in,” he wrote in his Sunday column.
“Texana Hollis cried on the sidewalk when she was evicted; I hope she is laughing this week. She is a joyous piece of our city’s living history, and we should cherish her.”
S.A.Y. Detroit has given the home new floors, walls, appliances, a repaired roof, heating, electrical, a security system, a new kitchen, and even painted the living room in Ms. Hollis’ favorite bright colors to make sure the dwelling is up to standard. When Mitch told her the good news, she replied, ”You don’t know how happy you have made me.”
When we first ran this story, many of you asked if there was a place you could donate to help Texana Hollis, and Mitch Albom has now set up a fund to help her with her future expenses. Here is the contact information if you’d like to help out:
Texana Hollis Fund, c/o Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries, Room 101, 150 Stimson, Detroit 48201. You can also call 313-993-4700 or go to www.saydetroit.org.
I’m glad this story has an even happier ending than could have been imagined.
Brande Victorian is a blogger and culture writer in New York City. Follower her on Twitter at @be_vic.
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