Miami's squatter problem has garnered national media attention over the past year and a half, as the foreclosure crisis threatened to transform the Magic City into something resembling a lawless, "Mad Max"-esque landscape.
The squatters mostly kept a low profile, moving in -- with the help of activist group Take Back the Land -- to neighborhoods where they could take over unnoticed.
Take Back the Land placed squatters in Belle Meade, Opa Locka, Liberty City and Overtown, finding modest dwellings for families without a place to live.
But now come reports that squatters are seeking out more ritzy neighborhoods, including the pricey, tree-lined streets of Coral Gables.
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"We think that wherever there are empty homes there should be people in them," Rameau said. "The housing crisis is impacting people on all kinds of income levels."
With over 44,000 foreclosed properties in Miami-Dade this year and thousands in Broward, real extate experts say the potential of sqauatters is there no matter where you live.
And there's little authorities can do about it.
"The police department, if you check the records, have been out there numerous times. They cannot go into the house they say," Hornik said.
Real estate experts say the only way to get squatters out is to have owner get them evicted, which requires going to court.
Until then, Gables residents will just have to get used to their new neighbors.
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The squatters are stupid. If they would just keep the house up and looking normal, trimmed, mowed, clean, no one would probably give a rat. I am not sure how I feel on this. The squatter paid no money for the house, but neither did the greedy buyer, knowing they could not pay for it. Six of one, half dozen of the other, I say.
ReplyDeleteI think it is absolutely fantastic and entertaining. Let's face it. A candy bar that you stole always tastes better than one you bought.
ReplyDeleteNot sure if you could get water/utility services, but probably could.
Bob, this is sure a nice house you have here! - yeah, I found it! :)
Pretty soon this will go country wide. I see masses of people moving into commercial buildings as that market implodes. Owners will have to resort to flea canisters or tear gas to keep the freeloaders out, or worse.
Maybe they just won't care at all because there will be no prospects out shopping for office or warehouse space. My office is surrounded by for rent/lease signs now. Lessors are offering six months free on a 3-year lease and still no takers.
In the long term, the government will rescind property rights and ownership for the good of the people. USSA. If you own a significant property and are not politically connected your building/land will simply be taken from you under emergency measures.
ReplyDeleteOr squatters will take it from you and the government will do nothing to help you out which is essentially the same result.
Oh you poor socio-phobes, the goverment isnt going to take away property rights. There is going to be an excess of property in the future so I don't see it as being such an issue. Let the squatters squat. The houses arent gonna get used anyway. If it comes down to a total collapse you will want to be able to hole up where ever you need to, be it the abandoned house or the wal mart housewares section.
ReplyDeleteThe govt now has a new tool in its bag of tricks to curb homelessness and the squatter problem.
ReplyDeleteIts called "FEMA camps".
I assure you the elite will never allow squatters living near them.
Why have expensive camps that you could never afford anyway (the govt is bankrupt) when there is PLENTY of housing in the first place? The elites live in mansions with 25 acre lots with sercurity in the nicest areas. That at least gives them a buffer between themselves and the have nots. All bets are off somewhere in the future though.
ReplyDeletehunger and cold will make moral people do immoral things- boldly.....just think about that.
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