Two parents from Houston, Texas who have fallen on hard economic times have lost child custody of their six children. After going through dire financial straits the parents decided to move their family to a self-storage unit. The parents believed the self-storage unit was a safer and cleaner living space than temporary housing they lived in previously. The state of Texas’s Child Protective Services disagreed and took custody of the couple’s children.
The parents decided to move their family into a self-storage unit on Houston’s northeast side after living in crime and pest-ridden apartment buildings and motel rooms. The family also considered moving into a homeless shelter but felt the storage unit would be safer.
The storage unit is a 10,000 square foot space with air conditioning. To make their children feel more at home, the parents provided beds, two computers, a microwave and a bath tub. The space; however, lacks running water and the lack of running water was an issue for Child Protective Services.
Child Protective Services was tipped off to the family’s living situation by a tipster. A Child Protective Services investigator came to the storage unit and determined the space was inappropriate for the parents’ six children. The decision was partly based on the unit’s lack of running water.
The children were placed with relatives and the parents are due in court next month to address the issue.
The parents say they are not criminals, child abusers or drug abusers and are trying to provide the best for their children within their means.
Source: ABC News, “Answer to recession: Houston family of eight living in self-storage,” Alan Farnham, 7/6/11