We heard your voice, and in response, the community stepped up.
We first told you about a hoarding situation in Center Line on Friday, and by Wednesday the city estimates 80% of the garbage has been cleaned up. All thanks to a community willing to help, and a homeowner willing to accept it.
“It took me reaching this point, as they say reaching bottom, to reach up my hand for help,” said the homeowner Elizabeth. “A lot of fear and shame prevents people with this mental illness from getting help.”
Elizabeth has lived in this home for 7 years but in recent months, it filled up with so much stuff that her backyard and driveway became completely buried. After months of inaction, her fed-up neighbors took to social media and some reached out to 7 News Detroit for help.
Center Line residents fed up w/ hoarding neighbor: ‘It’s just been horrendous.’
“It’s amazing that in the next day, after some awareness was spread, action was taken,” said neighbor Joe Nevill.
We first spoke to Nevill on Friday, and he shared with us how the situation was impacting him and his neighbors. Over the weekend, as the story spread, Elizabeth’s church also became aware.
Centerline hoarding takes first cleanup steps
“One of the members showed me the video and it immediately broke my heart,” said church member and friend Laura Strait. “This is a beautiful family and a beautiful lady.”
Over the next few days, dumpsters were donated and volunteers from the church and Jarson’s Lawn and Snow Care cleared out roughly 80% of what was there…