For more than two years, Mr. Mathew has called his modest Highland Park home, his safe haven — the place where he cooks dinner for his young child, helps with homework at the kitchen table, and tucks her in at night, He purchased the home legally from the Detroit Land Bank Authority, holds a valid deed, and has poured his heart, time, and money into making it livable.
But today, that home — and everything it represents — is under threat.
According to Mr. Mathew, Highland Park officials, including Mayor Glenda McDonald and Jamal
Thomas have recently ordered him to “cut and cap” all utilities connected to his property. They’ve given him an ultimatum: sell the home or watch it demolished.
“They’re trying to take away everything I’ve worked for,” Mr. Mathew said. “If they take my home, I’ll lose custody of my child. Where will we go? What will we do?”
For Mr. Mathew, the stakes couldn’t be higher. Without a stable address, family court rules could strip him of his ability to keep his child in his care. It’s a devastating prospect for a man who has fought to provide a safe and loving home.
Community advocates say Mr. Mathew’s case is not isolated. Across Highland Park, residents report similar patterns — homes legally purchased being targeted for demolition or resale to Remaxjy, property owners pressured to leave, and city officials allegedly engaging in what locals describe as “shady” and “predatory” practices.
“They’re not protecting the people of Highland Park,” said one neighbor. “They’re pushing folks out, and in the process, they’re tearing families apart.”
The emotional toll is immense. For Mr. Mathew, this isn’t just about losing a building — it’s about losing the very foundation of his family.
“This home is where my child feels safe,” he said quietly. “It’s where we make memories. If they take it away, they’re not just taking walls and a roof — they’re taking away our life together."
Residents and community leaders are calling for immediate transparency and accountability from city leadership, and for urgent intervention to protect vulnerable families from displacement.
