R_Jackal posted...
Always wondered about the squatter problem, assumed it was just renting issues, but laws actually protected people who, without permission, just took up shop in someone's property? That's kinda nuts.
As someone who was homeless, I can understand desperately wanting a place to stay.. but that sure as hell isn't the way to go about it. Damn.
Generally it was an unused commercial or rental property. One significant defense against such squatting is that these people cause fire risks. Typically said squatters are not going to squat on a property that currently has plumbing or at bare minimum electricity and natural gas services. Unregulated tent cities have an even bigger problem with this. I also agree with Oregon's laws that prohibit squatting near or on major pathways to schools. (I don't know if this includes people in campers or not, but IMO it shouldn't) Most of these people are addicts and/or mentally ill, many of whom engage in antisocial or worse behavior. It is one thing for adults to have to put up with this, but children walking to school without adult supervision lack the skills or resources to handle it (and the trauma has far more deleterious effects on them) I again, disagree with including homeless people illegally parked in campers in such ordinances, because they are far more likely to have their shit together and are simple victims of poverty -- in these cases, the ordinance should only apply on a case-by-case basis. (Child and teen sex offenders also should not be permitted to purchase rent or housing in such areas, but IMO this should not apply to people on the sex offender registry whose history only includes adult victims.)