Houston Mom and Kids Live in a Car for More than Two Months

Houston mom kids car house Apartment

By Fatima Virrey , Parent Herald Aug 20, 08:36 am

A Houston mom's small SUV has turned into their family's home. For more than two months, Kenia Madrigal and her kids have been living and sleeping in her car. That is after they were evicted from their home for two years.

The Houston mom and her kids were living in a mobile home in north Harris County. Because Kenia was laid off from her job due to the coronavirus pandemic, she cannot afford to pay their rent.

Living in the car for more than two months

Kenia has four children. They are eleven, eight, three years, and one year old.

Every night, when they have to sleep, Kenia and her oldest child sleep at the front seats of the car, while the younger ones squeeze in the back seats.

Most of their belongings are in the car since they were evicted last June.

According to Kenia, bearing the difficulty of seeing her kids suffer is one thing, but answering their innocent questions are more complicated.

(Photo: Screenshot from GoFundMe page)
Houston Mom and Kids Live in a Car for More than Two Months

In an interview with ABC7, Kenia shared, "It's hard because my daughter keeps asking me when are we going to go home, and we don't have a home."

Things remain uncertain for the Houston mom and her family.

Kenia is back to working again. She only earns $11.50. This amount is barely enough for their daily needs and other expenses, let alone for an apartment. The Houston mom also says that she is still uncertain of what could happen next, so she tells her kids, "All I can tell them is 'One day at a time."

If the housing arrangements of the family remains uncertain, so does the education of her older children.

She said, "I can't say they can go to school, because I have no idea."

The Houston mom's only wish is to have a place that she and her kids can call home.

Looking for help

Since the day the family has been evicted, Kenia has been looking for ways to ask for assistance.

She was denied state assistance when she applied for it.

Also, Kenia has tried calling 211 and shelters to find a place for her and her kids.

One of her co-workers created a GoFundMe page for the Houston mom and her kids.

According to the page, the funds collected will be used to find a safe home for the family and the education of Kenia's older children.

As of writing, the GoFundMe page has already raised more than 50,000 US dollars. The initial goal of the campaign was only to rais 800 US dollars.