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Homeless Look to Foreclosures

Spike in empty homes provides convenient, albeit sometimes dangerous, shelter

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 19, 2008 4:52 PM CST
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(Newser) – As the nation's spate of foreclosures leaves more people homeless, more homeless people are finding shelter in those newly abandoned buildings, the AP reports. The stock of foreclosed homes in hard-hit areas may well outnumber people on the street, leading many to chance arrest or a run-in with drug dealers for a roof over their heads.

Recent foreclosures are less likely to be condemned or harbor chronic criminal activity, and could still be hooked up to utilities, which one Cleveland man terms "what you call convenient." But evidence is largely anecdotal: "Are they in (foreclosed) homes?" asked one counselor. "I don't know. They are just not in their places."

The national spike in foreclosures may offer the homeless a convenient, but potentially dangerous, place to spend the night.
The national spike in foreclosures may offer the homeless a convenient, but potentially dangerous, place to spend the night.   (Getty Images)
Some homeless may now have a choice of where to sleep.
Some homeless may now have a choice of where to sleep.   (Associated Press)
In some hard hit areas, experts estimate vacant housing outnumbers homeless on the street.
In some hard hit areas, experts estimate vacant housing outnumbers homeless on the street.   (Getty Images)
The spike in vacant housing stock may be tempting to homeless.
The spike in vacant housing stock may be tempting to homeless.   (Getty Images)
Homeless man in Chicago.
Homeless man in Chicago.   (Magnum Photos)
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A look at foreclosures around the country
Associated Press

US

 
Cleveland • Philadelphia • homeless • shelter • urban poverty • subprime crisis • vacant homes • foreclosures

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