Detroit residents living in the Collingwood and Wildemere neighborhood have spent years dealing with a blighted abandoned house — and now the city is promising action.
Watch Faraz Javed’s video report:
Detroit grandmother’s blight concerns prompt city action on abandoned home next door
Julie Day, 77, lives next door to the property with her grandchildren. She says the house has been a source of fear and frustration since 2018, when ownership changed through tax foreclosure.
“This is the front door. The grass – the weeds – grow up the steps. So you can tell there’s nobody coming here for any reason. Because the porch is caved in,” Day said.
The side door of the home sits open, and Day and her neighbor Gina Peoples say people have been going in and out.
“And people are going in and out of there. They’re taking things out,” Peoples said. “It’s an environment for crime and criminals to hide out.”
Day says one squatter appeared to have mental health issues…