Neighbor set up a homeless shelter in his garage

[rubytue]

ummm... yeah...

Neighbor guy got a girlfriend about 2 1/2 years ago.  Before she moved in with him, she was homeless and living in her van (she told me so).  She occasionally mentioned she had other homeless friends she wanted to help.  Yes, she was very chatty and had these little dogs she would let run loose.

There now appear to be about 10 or so people living in the garage.  The sit out in the driveway drinking and partying half the night.  They have a TV and several couches in the garage.  Not sure if they are sleeping in the garage or house.

Neighbor is a very, very odd duck.  Old guy, retired.  A bit of a hoarder and cheapskate (H has done some work in his house and says its full of old crap and everything is still 1965 original).  His ex wife left him in the middle of the night, because it was the only way she could leave (I never met her, got this gossip from another gossipy neighbor).

There is no HOA and its in the county (generally less restrictive than the city).

Got this from the tenants.  They don't expect me to do anything, but wanted to let me know.  That said, H and I are both livid.  And, knowing weird neighbor and his weirder girlfriend, I believe every word of it.

[sjh722]

Eeek. That's not good.

Does your city have any occupancy/nuisance restrictions? (Like, the town I went to college in allowed no more than 4 unrelated people per dwelling to keep houses from filling up with 10 college kids.) It wasn't usually enforced, just if it became a problem - maybe you have a law like that on the books? Fingers crossed.

[cjeanette]

There has to be some sort of rule or fire code against this.

[rubytue]

I'm looking, and so far I haven't found anything.

I should be able to get them on health dept issues b/c they are on septic, but last time I tried that, I didn't have much luck. The county inspector came out, but he didn't see the issue in action so he couldn't do anything (it was a gray water issue with several neighbors, you could tell it was laundry day b/c there would be suds in the street).

[snakeoiltanker]

Are you the owner of this property( if you are the landlord I understand being livid at the increased occupancy)? Are people trespassing? Otherwise I don't understand what the problem is.



I feel like I'm missing something. The complaint here cannot really be that people you perceive to be poor are living in your neighborhood.

[kwynn]

Feb 6, 2013 4:25:01 GMT -5 snakeoiltanker said:

Are you the owner of this property? Are people trespassing? Otherwise I don't understand what the problem is.

I feel like I'm missing something. Is the complaint here really that people you perceive to be poor are living in your neighborhood?

I think the issue isn't poor people---it's that they are sitting outside (a large group) half the night, and that it's a genuine crowding issue in the neighborhood (like what if all these people have cars?) And that they may be taxing the water/utility lines?

I am really relaxed and loose and don't get upset about anything really, but I can't say I'd like this kind of situation in my neighborhood if the driveway was being used as a social area, I owned a rental, etc.

I'd be concerned about the possibility (please don't flame me) of any of these people being registered sex offenders, as you occasionally hear of some people not registering their address.

And I don't know if the homeless issue bothers me so much as just so many people in general cramming in to a home. I wouldn't love a family of 12 moving in to a 3 bedroom home either, even if it was a mom, dad, and ten kids, as I'd worry about noise, people being everywhere, etc.

I'd also be concerned about how all these ppl are supporting themselves. Looking for work or working, great, but if they are possibly doing some shady things, that could hurt the neighborhood as well, especially if several of them are home during the day and bored. (Idle hands and all that...) I also would not want to be approached for money in my own neighborhood, but the OP has not indicated they are asking, but just a thought.

I hope no one takes offense to this. I am really relaxed about homes and guests, I think crowding into a house is just a pet peeve of mine

[snakeoiltanker]

Feb 6, 2013 4:38:54 GMT -5 kwynn said:

Feb 6, 2013 4:25:01 GMT -5 snakeoiltanker said:

Are you the owner of this property? Are people trespassing? Otherwise I don't understand what the problem is.

I feel like I'm missing something. Is the complaint here really that people you perceive to be poor are living in your neighborhood?

I think the issue isn't poor people---it's that they are sitting outside (a large group) half the night, and that it's a genuine crowding issue in the neighborhood (like what if all these people have cars?) And that they may be taxing the water/utility lines?

I am really relaxed and loose and don't get upset about anything really, but I can't say I'd like this kind of situation in my neighborhood if the driveway was being used as a social area, I owned a rental, etc.

I'd be concerned about the possibility (please don't flame me) of any of these people being registered sex offenders, as you occasionally hear of some people not registering their address.

And I don't know if the homeless issue bothers me so much as just so many people in general cramming in to a home. I wouldn't love a family of 12 moving in to a 3 bedroom home either, even if it was a mom, dad, and ten kids, as I'd worry about noise, people being everywhere, etc.

I'd also be concerned about how all these ppl are supporting themselves. Looking for work or working, great, but if they are possibly doing some shady things, that could hurt the neighborhood as well, especially if several of them are home during the day and bored. (Idle hands and all that...) I also would not want to be approached for money in my own neighborhood, but the OP has not indicated they are asking, but just a thought.

I hope no one takes offense to this. I am really relaxed about homes and guests, I think crowding into a house is just a pet peeve of mine

[im
I doubt you'll get flamed. I'm pretty sure I'm in the minority on this one.

I do understand why she'd be upset if she is renting this place. Simply because of increased wear and tear on the house. Or taxing the water/utility lines like you mentioned. I can see that aspect.

However, OP did not mention any panhandling, or suspicion of shady going ons. Her only gripe about these people ( beside their old appliances ) is that they socialize in their own driveway.

I'm totally willing to stand on my own here, and accept I might be the only one who feels this way. I just think it sound like judgy bullshit.

The op states that this neighborhood is not part of an HOA. It is in the country so street crowding is unlikely to be an issue, and the OP makes no mention of any way these people are impacting her life in any way. Except for having to see them in their driveway. All I can think is..... Get over yourself.

[Deleted]

Feb 6, 2013 5:04:11 GMT -5 snakeoiltanker said:

Feb 6, 2013 4:38:54 GMT -5 kwynn said:

I think the issue isn't poor people---it's that they are sitting outside (a large group) half the night, and that it's a genuine crowding issue in the neighborhood (like what if all these people have cars?) And that they may be taxing the water/utility lines?

I am really relaxed and loose and don't get upset about anything really, but I can't say I'd like this kind of situation in my neighborhood if the driveway was being used as a social area, I owned a rental, etc.

I'd be concerned about the possibility (please don't flame me) of any of these people being registered sex offenders, as you occasionally hear of some people not registering their address.

And I don't know if the homeless issue bothers me so much as just so many people in general cramming in to a home. I wouldn't love a family of 12 moving in to a 3 bedroom home either, even if it was a mom, dad, and ten kids, as I'd worry about noise, people being everywhere, etc.

I'd also be concerned about how all these ppl are supporting themselves. Looking for work or working, great, but if they are possibly doing some shady things, that could hurt the neighborhood as well, especially if several of them are home during the day and bored. (Idle hands and all that...) I also would not want to be approached for money in my own neighborhood, but the OP has not indicated they are asking, but just a thought.

I hope no one takes offense to this. I am really relaxed about homes and guests, I think crowding into a house is just a pet peeve of mine

[im
I doubt you'll get flamed. I'm pretty sure I'm in the minority on this one.

I do understand why she'd be upset if she is renting this place. Simply because of increased wear and tear on the house. Or taxing the water/utility lines like you mentioned. I can see that aspect.

However, OP did not mention any panhandling, or suspicion of shady going ons. Her only gripe about these people ( beside their old appliances ) is that they socialize in their own driveway.

I'm totally willing to stand on my own here, and accept I might be the only one who feels this way. I just think it sound like judgy bullshit.

The op states that this neighborhood is not part of an HOA. It is in the country so street crowding is unlikely to be an issue, and the OP makes no mention of any way these people are impacting her life in any way. Except for having to see them in their driveway. All I can think is..... Get over yourself.

Sorry for the huge quote, on my phone.

OP said county, not country. I assume that just means a part of the county not covered by stricter city code, not that it's a rural area. I'd worry about street crowding too with that many adults.

It is a weird situation but if they aren't against code I think there is little you can do. I wouldn't want to be living next door though for sure.

[Deleted]

Eeek - this would freak me out too. Keep us posted on what happens....

[pamela]

There may still be some sort of county occupancy limits. I live in an area without a lot of city governments, we're all covered just by the parish (county). I'd check with the county sherrif. I'd also ask the tenants to either call you or the county when things get too rowdy at night and get the sherrif to do more drive bys and eventually that might shut it down. A garage typically isn't considered habitable so there has to be something that can be done.

[takeonyou]

I wouldnt want any group of people partying all night outside. Unless they are breaking occupancy codes or noise laws, I'm not sure there is much you can do.

[Deleted]

Most areas have codes that say something like more than 4 unrelated people can't live together.

[imojoebunny]

What county are you in. There is a free municipal code library.

www.municode.com/library/

I am kind of an expert on it, unfortunately. Once you know the rules they are breaking call your counties code enforcement office and tell them.

[imojoebunny]

Feb 6, 2013 8:21:30 GMT -5 @blessed said:

If they're being loud when they're partying and keeping me up, I'd be annoyed and maybe you can call for a noise complaint?

If they were non-partying, non-loud homeless people I wouldn't really have a problem with it.

I would.  I live near a homeless shelter though,  and in an area with a high number of homeless.  The shelter is required to screen their candidates for violent crimes and sexual crimes.  It is across the street from 3 school bus stops, in the middle of a single family neighborhood.  Yes, some homeless people are just down on their luck, but some are violent and have extensive criminal histories, as well as severe drug and alcohol problems.  Your tenant is right to be concerned that she could be in harms way.  We have a few homeless people who live in garages around here.  We all know them.  They are non-violent and have been around a while, and mostly just have mental problems that cause them not to be able to function well, not hurt people or disturb the peace.  There are a couple though that the community gets recommitted as fast as they can when they get out because they get into drugs/alcohol or are not compliment on medication.  

[livinitup]

I can't imagine that anyone would prefer these folks to go back to being homeless, in cars and county shelters. That's what this odd duck of a neighbor is preventing, right?

[niq]

Is someone helping old neighbor guy with his finances? I don't know how much else he's doing to help these folks, but I'd be worried that he's spending more than he realizes.

Unless the nighttime partying is bothering your tenants' ability to sleep, I'm on team "not sure what the problem is"...

[Deleted]

I think it's easy to take an imaginary high road here and say, hey this guy is just helping the harmless poor folks. That's bullshit. OP could lose renters if they feel unsafe, they aren't harmless in that they are disruptive half the night, and putting them in a garage is not giving them a home.

[rubytue]

Whee. This exploded after I went to bed didn't it.

To answer questions: no. I do not have problems with poor people. I wouldn't have issues with a halfway house next door or a real homeless shelter. Because those have occupancy limits and inspections.

What I have problems with is 10 people living in a garage (2 more in the 3 bedroom house). The septic system is designed for 6 people total, and it was already failing (H has seen the proof when he did work on the house).

I also have problems because my tenants are having problems. The Christmas lights were torn down and thrown in the trash. The car has been rifled through. And the dogs are running all over the neighborhood.

Would you really not think twice if your neighbor had 12 adults living in a small house, and 10 of them were living in a garage? Would you really not side-eye it at least?

Eta: we were there for 5 years, most of the neighbors have been there between 10 and 40 years. It is truly one if those area where you could leave your doors unlocked. Never and problems. Most annoying thing was the retired folks stopping you to talk. Also, the issues our tenants had started after someone called the humane society about the number of dogs living in the garage and running loose.

[rubytue]

And yes, I guess it probably appears I'm adding more details after the fact. I tend to type too much and too many details, so I paired it down.

[vanillacourage]

I don't believe for a second anyone who says they wouldn't mind living next door to a double-digit group of homeless people who "sit out in the driveway and drink/party" most of the night, then all go crash in the garage.

[rubytue]

Blessed - I consider kids a bit different. 12 adults, not 2 or 4 adults and 8-10 kids. Heck, my next door neighbor right now has 3 adults and 5 kids living in her 2-bedroom townhouse (her daughter and kids has to move in). That only bugs me bc one of the kids is really annoying. Lol

Eta- also, I don't think what you are saying is bullshit. I know different people have different tolerances. I just really want to defend myself against hating poor people. Cause I don't think I do. Maybe I do? Maybe I am a NIMBY. But heck, H was homeless for awhile in his 20s. Living in a tent by the river. Literally. FWIW-he thinks they will be gone once it warms up (but he is pissed, too).

[mrshabious]

Feb 6, 2013 9:24:54 GMT -5 vanillacourage said:

I don't believe for a second anyone who says they wouldn't mind living next door to a double-digit group of homeless people who "sit out in the driveway and drink/party" most of the night, then all go crash in the garage.

This exactly.  We had new neighbors move into the cul-de-sac early summer.  We spent the summer listening to them partying.  Not sure how many folks actually live there, but there are easily five cars, if not more.  Luckily they are across the street and four houses down.  If it were closer I would have a huge issue.  We live in a quiet SFH neighborhood and HATE being woken up at 3 am with druken loudness.  Cannot imagine what I would do if I was the tenant in OP's situation.

[sapphireblue]

Feb 6, 2013 9:24:54 GMT -5 vanillacourage said:

I don't believe for a second anyone who says they wouldn't mind living next door to a double-digit group of homeless people who "sit out in the driveway and drink/party" most of the night, then all go crash in the garage.

This is where I'm at on this.

I had a neighbor across the street who had a seriously overcrowded home. People were constantly coming and going, cars were parked all up and down the street, they'd have loud conversations outside on the street after 11 pm on weeknights, etc. Thankfully they moved last year and the difference is amazing. I would not have believed it until I lived it how huge an impact one house can have on an entire street.

[protozoa]

This would bother me a lot. And when I was a teen my dad let a homeless man sleep in his van in our driveway and I didn't mind that a bit. So you can't say I don't like poor people

[Deleted]

Feb 6, 2013 9:57:11 GMT -5 sapphireblue said:

Feb 6, 2013 9:24:54 GMT -5 vanillacourage said:

I don't believe for a second anyone who says they wouldn't mind living next door to a double-digit group of homeless people who "sit out in the driveway and drink/party" most of the night, then all go crash in the garage.

This is where I'm at on this.

I had a neighbor across the street who had a seriously overcrowded home. People were constantly coming and going, cars were parked all up and down the street, they'd have loud conversations outside on the street after 11 pm on weeknights, etc. Thankfully they moved last year and the difference is amazing. I would not have believed it until I lived it how huge an impact one house can have on an entire street.

Honestly, this is why I like HOA neighborhoods. I know that's an unpopular opinion but in our area HOAs tend to be pretty relaxed--but they have your back when something like this is going on.

[sapphireblue]

Feb 6, 2013 10:07:54 GMT -5 @carmensandiego said:

Feb 6, 2013 9:57:11 GMT -5 sapphireblue said:

This is where I'm at on this.

I had a neighbor across the street who had a seriously overcrowded home. People were constantly coming and going, cars were parked all up and down the street, they'd have loud conversations outside on the street after 11 pm on weeknights, etc. Thankfully they moved last year and the difference is amazing. I would not have believed it until I lived it how huge an impact one house can have on an entire street.

Honestly, this is why I like HOA neighborhoods. I know that's an unpopular opinion but in our area HOAs tend to be pretty relaxed--but they have your back when something like this is going on.

Yes--these neighbors and actually a couple of others did make me wish for an HOA because I knew these things would have been addressed. 

[Deleted]

Is this a case of elder abuse? Maybe the guy is being taken advantage of,

[rubytue]

Feb 6, 2013 11:03:29 GMT -5 @spenjamins said:

Is this a case of elder abuse? Maybe the guy is being taken advantage of,

that has occurred to me, too. If I knew how to contact his kids, I'd start there. But he is not always a nice man, and although I know they live relatively nearby (in the state), they didn't visit once in the 5 years I lived there.

[niq]

Okay, if stuff's getting messed with, then yes, landlord & tenant are totally justified in doing something about it.

... for cred, we did live two houses down from a flophouse for what seemed to be Latino construction workers. 8+ people in a house meant for 4-5. It was in a city, though, so ... different environment from OP.

ETA and yes, I'd be nervous about him being taken advantage of. I hope someone other than his GF is watching out for him.

[indianchica]

Feb 5, 2013 18:59:11 GMT -5 @gypsy said:

Who was looking to make friends? indianchica ?

Solution. You're welcome!

I love this idea! Thanks for the lookout!