As Vacant Foreclosed Homes Increase So Do Squatters

In St. Paul, Minnesota, city inspectors would take a night out on the streets visiting abandoned buildings and repo homes that failed the city's safety code. The growing number of Minnesota
repossessions has also attracted squatters trying to look for places to stay. Finding these buildings and empty houses unsafe for people, inspectors have no choice but to ask these people living there to vacate.

As the financial crisis continues across the nation, the number of foreclosed properties rises in parallel. Minnesota has 20,000 foreclosures, with St. Paul registering 2,000 vacant buildings. With this growing number of vacant properties, city officials are left with the responsibility of maintaining these properties and costing the city approximately $2.3 million a year. These responsibilities include inspection and securing vacant properties as well as protecting these properties from copper thieves, gas explosions and vandals.

To strengthen the programs in dealing with the problems of foreclosed properties and vacant buildings, the city of St. Paul has created new laws and fortified their inspection department assigned to check these vacant buildings. On top of checking for the structural integrity and safety of these buildings and homes, city inspectors are also checking for illegal inhabitants in these properties. Left with the task of telling these people to vacate unsafe buildings and houses, these inspectors are doing so for the inhabitants own safety.

The current foreclosure crisis has left several vacant homes in neighborhoods, and squatters are becoming experts in spotting abandoned homes. Most homes going into foreclosure would still have utilities on, so squatters would just go in and help themselves of the amenities. Inspectors would kick out repeat squatters but would be considerate for most people, particularly those who were scammed into renting the place by people posing as owners.

In some homes that have code violations, inhabitants are the rightful owners but do not have the funds to do the rehabilitation work or pay rent while rehab is performed. Such cases would need support from the city and from other sectors.

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