Evicted 101-Year-Old Woman Back Home At Last
DETROIT (WWJ/AP) - A 101-year-old Detroit woman, who was tossed out of her foreclosed home last Fall, has the keys back in-hand.
Texana Hollis, who was evicted seven months ago, returned Wednesday to the home she had lived in for 60 years.
Hollis lost her house in September and her belongings placed outside after her son failed to pay property taxes linked to a reverse mortgage and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development foreclosed.
Two days later, the department said she could return. But that didn't happen because HUD determined the home was unsanitary and unsafe.
Detroit Free Press columnist Mitch Albom and his charity, S.A.Y. Detroit, helped renovate Hollis' house. The charity bought it from HUD.
WWJ Newsradio 950's Pat Sweeting reported the tears began welling up in Hollis' eyes the moment as soon as her wheelchair crossed the threshold.
With a crowd of reporters, photographers, friends and family standing by, she thanked God and everyone who had helped her find her way back home.
One of the first things Hollis wants to do, once her leg is better: bake cookies.
"I've been cooking ever since I was 10-year-old. My mother would stand me on a box, so I'd be tall enough to be up to the kitchen," said Hollis. "She'd put the stuff on the table and say, 'You better not mess it up. Because, if you do, you're gonna eat it up!"
Until she's better able to get around on her own, Hollis will spend most of her time with friends who took her in after she was evicted.
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