San Francisco Woman Leaves Her Home to the Homeless
In an inspiring news story, one woman in San Francisco used her will to help make the world a better place.
84-year-old Lelia Boroughs, who lived in San Francisco's lower Pacific Heights, left her apartment to the city to be used as a homeless shelter. Known as a kind, good-hearted woman, Lelia often brought food and groceries to the homeless people who camped out near her condo.
"She understands how hard it is by herself,” neighbor Irinia Khokhlova told NBC. “It’s not easy to handle in the city"
Boroughs, who died last September, told her attorney that she had no surviving family or relatives. She decided instead that she wanted to use her estate to help one of the most marginalized groups of society.
“The city doesn’t know a whole lot about her,” said Trent Rhorer, director of San Francisco’s Department of Human Services. “She wanted to give her estate to help one of the biggest causes which I guess for her was homeless folks.”
Boroughs also gave the city permission to sell her condo if they deem it unsuitable as a shelter and use the proceeds to help the homeless. The decision will be made this week by the city's Board of Supervisors.
If sold, the condo could raise up to half a million dollars, which could help up to 150 families get new homes.
Homeless advocates welcome the donation and celebrate Boroughs for her final act of kindness.
“I think it’s a beautiful thing,” said Jennifer Friedenbach of the San Francisco Coalition on Homelessness. “I think in San Francisco, it really shows people do care about other people.”
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