A mother of Detroit whose two children died for possible exposure to the cold this month while the family lived in a van received a new home days after her son and daughter were buried.
A video posted by the city of Detroit and the ministries of Detroit’s rescue mission this week showed Tateona Williams receiving the keys to his home.
“We had to fix it, prepare it, provide it and then give them a good start so that they no longer have to go without food or be outside,” said the CEO and president of the organization, Chad Audi, in a video that showed the members of the community that store the kitchen with food.
Detroit Rescue Mission Ministries, which helps find permanent solutions for disadvantaged residents, said the house was recently painted and Williams received new furniture and home appliances that can now occupy with their two surviving children.
“We not only offered a house, we gave her hope. We took her to her new home, where she and her children could finally breathe, sleep and heal without fear,” Audi said in a statement.
The organization said it would make regular records and inspections to help Williams and will sit with it before the end of the year to “create a long -term housing plan.” The house is “strictly for the mother and her children”, and Williams has to transfer public services in his name in three months.
“DRMM will intervene to help if it has difficulties, but we hope that responsibility and responsibility accumulate towards its independence,” said the organization.
Amillah Currie, 2 years old, and Darnell Currie, 9, died on February 10 after the truck in which the family lived apparently ran out of gas. Williams found the children who did not respond and did not breathe and called a friend or a relative for help, police said.
The Detroit temperature that morning was around 12 degrees F, with 6 -degree chills, according to the National Meteorological Service.
Hours before the deaths, Williams had parked the car on the ninth floor of the Hollywood casino parking. Two adults and five children, aged between 2 and 13, were in the truck, said Detroit Police Chief Todd Bettison.
He said he believed that the family was looking for shelter in the garage for security and because they could use the casino bath. The boss also said that the family had moved from several casinos parking lots.
The deaths quickly raised questions about defective systems to help people experience the lack of housing. The mayor of Detroit, Mike Duggan, requested a review of the family’s assistance request after Williams had contacted a homeless response team on November 25 and said he needed a place to stay.
The mayor said at a press conference this month that a resolution was not achieved during that conversation and that a dissemination worker did not visit the family.
The family had also communicated in the summer and the previous year, he said.
The city of Detroit said on a Facebook post on Wednesday that his heart continues with the family “while we are next to them, offering our love and compassion.”
“While nothing can really relieve your loss, the gift of a new home represents a fundamental step for both your family and the community,” said the city. “Detroit, let’s join in support.”
