GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WZZM)- For months foreclosure rates have skyrocketed causing hundreds of people to lose their homes in Michigan and across the country. Currently there are more than 6,100 properties in some form of foreclosure in Kent County, 2,034 in Muskegon County, 1,665 in Ottawa County, and nearly 1,200 in Allegan County.
While the numbers are staggering, they don't portray the desperation foreclosure causes quite like watching someone go through it.
"You know you work all your life and then all of a sudden everything is gone," said Elizabeth Press who spent Thursday morning helping her cousin, Rebecca Rubante, pack her belongings after a court officer showed up to enforce an eviction notice.
Rubante's contacted 13 On Your Side early Thursday morning for help stop what she through was an unlawful eviction. Earlier in the week she filed a motion in the Western District Federal court to suspend the foreclosure order signed by a judge in 61st District Court. But later that morning the federal judge refused to hear the case. That's when a harsh reality set it for Rubante.
"I put in a motion," she said shaking the Notice of Removal request. "I wanted to stop it because I had good argument to do the fight and I only wanted time. The truth here is they didn't want to help me when I wanted help. I wanted to pay. I had a long history with them. When I got caught in the crap they put me down and didn't help," she said.
Rubante's story a familiar one. She lived in her house at 313 Prospect Ave NE in Grand Rapids for 25 years. Then she was hit with a debilitating medical condition, divorce and ultimately lost her job with Grand Rapids Public Schools. She says she struggled to stay current on her mortgage payments when the adjustable rate kicked in doubling her payments.
"It was $2,200 and it went to almost $4,000," she said. "I wanted them to refinance my loan, the high interest rate, and give me the same decent payment I was having. They said they couldn't help. Look for a loan in another place."
Her two year fight to keep her home ended Thursday with a frantic race to collect her belongings from the home before court appointed officers put them in a dumpster on the curb.
"Oh it's pressure yes. I haven't asked how much longer we can be here but I know we are just rumbling through things and taking things out. We are trying to help her take whatever she has left and just help her. She is going to be staying with me at my house. She doesn't have any other relatives in town. " said Press.
Less than an hour after movers started placing items on the lawn neighbors and passersby showed up to scavenge items that included a television, dishes, cds, clothing and accessories.
While she admitted to feeling violated, Rubante took in stride.
"Somebody wants to take it they can take it. I will be taking what I want and the rest they can take it," she said pointing to belongings family and friends were able to help her pile up in the driveway. "I have my pictures, my pet, some of my clothes and that is it. The rest is stuff. Honey I came to America (from Cuba) with one luggage and 2 dresses for my children and myself. That is it and look at all the stuff I had. Stuff is just stuff."
The one thing she still can't let go so easily is the house she called home for so many years.
"I will fight until I get justice for what happened. It doesn't matter if they take my house. I will get my house back," she said. "I don't know what is next but God is with me. He will sustain me."
In your voice
Play 
