Family With 5 Children Evicted From Warren Home Amid Allegations Of Squatting

WARREN (WWJ) - A family of seven have been kicked out of home in Warren amid allegations of squatting.

Warren Mayor Jim Fouts said the family moved into the city-owned home on Panama Street, near Mound and 9 Mile roads, earlier this week.

"There are five children and, you know, I don't know too much about them other than they just moved in. The residents contacted me and said somebody is illegally moving into this home," Fouts told WWJ's Sandra McNeill.

The home is part of the federally funded Community Development Block Grant Program, which rehabilitates homes and sells them to low-income families.

"I want the message to go out in the metro area that you can't move into an unoccupied home, particularly a home that's owned by the taxpayers of Warren that is going to go to a needy family," said Fouts.

The family was evicted on Tuesday based on a 1930 state law that addresses occupancy of a residential building without consent and a 1961 state law that addresses illegal entry in a residence.

"They were given a place they could go to in Monroe, a shelter. They also have an address in Detroit, so I don't know whether they're in Detroit -- but we found a shelter for them to go to if in fact they are needy," said Fouts. "Now, whether they're genuinely needy -- I don't know."

The father was ticketed for trespassing, which carries a penalty of up to six months in jail and a $5,000 fine.

"At this point, if he admits he's a squatter and he's moved out voluntarily, then I would assume it would be up to the judge that he would mitigate a major fine or any jail sentence," said Fouts.