Homeless Make Something Out of Foreclosures
February 6th, 2009 by 
Joseph Smith
In South Florida, squatting in foreclosed homes is becoming a trend for the homeless. The homeless were left with a choice between street-dwelling and squatting. Who would not rather live under a roof, even if it is not yours?
Those who lost their jobs and homes are now secretly residing in vacant repossessed properties. Here, they try to collect themselves, be productive and get back into their feet, something tough to do if you live on the streets.
An actual organization, Take Back the Land, find these foreclosed homes and designate homeless individuals or even families so they can make use of the vacant yet cozy homes.
In Miami-Dade alone, around 4,800 are homeless. And there are a lot of vacancies to choose from thanks to the 6,000 foreclosure cases in December alone. With these proportions, the problem of vagrancy would be resolved.
Many of these foreclosed homes are unlocked and easily accessible. Just pay the electric and water bills and you are ready to go.
But is this not trespassing? Illegal?
Trespassing and squatting is actually a misdemeanor under Florida law. But Take Back the Land representatives believe that if you choose who inhabits these repossessed homes, it would be safer for the community. If homeless are clean, respectful of the home and the neighborhood, and even educated, why not give them their chance to temporarily and discreetly reside in a used-to-be useless property.
Neighbors even think that homeless-inhabited foreclosures are safer than letting an empty house attract vandals and thieves. The foreclosure-inhabitants can keep the home clean and not leave an eyesore.
Vacant foreclosures have not served any purpose but a threat in the safety and property value of a neighborhood. So why not let an empty home serve a little purpose for the homeless.
