MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WREG) — Police say a homeless couple that was given a free home earlier this year has since stripped the home and sold everything inside the home to buy crack cocaine.
Patricia Douglas and Willie Banner were given the home back in February as part of a federal program to house 100,000 homeless people around the country.
The couple was initially overjoyed to receive the home. Now the couple is in jail accused of stripping the duplex. WREG reported their air conditioning unit was also allegedly sold to a neighbor.
“I am shocked, really” said Kelcey Johnson, director of the Hospitality Hubs that takes applications from homeless people who want housing. “I really feel bad for the landlord that put his property into this program.”
The program is called “100 homes Memphis.” Federal money is used to house homeless people. However, drug testing is not a part of the program.
“Drug use and abuse alcohol use and abuse does not disqualify people for this program,” said Johnson.
