People gather to protest family's eviction from their home

SOUTHGATE, Mich. (WXYZ) - Dozens of people joined a Southgate family to protest their eviction from the house they have lived in for the past seven years.

Robert and Debbie Henry have been seeking a loan modification without success. They face a court date on January 19 but have vowed to stay in their home.

The protestors marched from the Henry’s home to the Bank of America branch on Northline Road to air their grievances.

The Henry’s fell behind in their loan payments after Debbie suffered a stroke and could no longer work. Bank of America sold the mortgage to Fannie Mae and since then the couple has been unable to get the help they say they need to stay in their home.

“We want to pay for our house,” said Debbie Henry. “We want a modification, that’s all. That’s all we want.”

People representing the group “Occupy our Homes” and UAW Local 600 members were among those who turned out on a bitterly cold morning to support the couple.

A Bank of America spokesperson told Action News she could not discuss the specifics of the Henry’s case because of privacy concerns.  Diane Wagner did confirm by email that the matter “is currently in active workout.”