Activist Moving Homeless People Into Foreclosed Houses in Miami

[babylonsister]

Published on Monday, December 8, 2008 by Associated Press

Homes with No People, People with No Homes
Activist Moving Homeless People Into Foreclosed Houses in Miami

by Tamara Lush


MIAMI - Max Rameau delivers his sales pitch like a pro. "All tile floor!" he says during a recent showing. "And the living room, wow! It has great blinds."

But in nearly every other respect, he is unlike any real estate agent you've ever met. He is unshaven, drives a beat-up car and wears grungy cut-off sweat pants. He also breaks into the homes he shows. And his clients don't have a dime for a down payment.

Rameau is an activist who has been executing a bailout plan of his own around Miami's empty streets: He is helping homeless people illegally move into foreclosed homes.

"We're matching homeless people with people-less homes," he said with a grin.

Rameau and a group of like-minded advocates formed Take Back the Land, which also helps the new "tenants" with secondhand furniture, cleaning supplies and yard upkeep. So far, he has moved six families into foreclosed homes and has nine on a waiting list.

"I think everyone deserves a home," said Rameau, who said he takes no money for his work with the homeless. "Homeless people across the country are squatting in empty homes. The question is: Is this going to be done out of desperation or with direction?"

more...

http://www.commondreams.org/headline/2008/12/08-6

[TygrBright]

1. Here's the interesting bit:

>>"There are no actions on the city's part to stop this," she said in an e-mail. "It is important to note that if people trespass into private property, it is up to the property owner to take action to remove those individuals."<<

That sound suspiciously like a "You go, guy!" to me.

The city is clearly worried about having a lot of empty properties to monitor.

speculatively,
Bright

[margotb822]

2. So, why don't the owners just stay in the foreclosed homes?

If no one cares or follows up, why do the owners even have to leave in the first place?

[babylonsister]

3. Because the banks require mortgage payments? If a home is in

foreclosure, they don't expect the money. My guess anyway.

[PeaceNikki]

15. This is after eviction of owners has happened

[KamaAina]

4. I guess New Orleans was a generation ahead of its time

Around 1990, My roommate, John the Tamale Man, left to go squat a vacant house a few blocks away. And this was in one of the good neighborhoods.

[SoCalDem]

5. If you don't have a lot of "stuff"

and you blend in, I can see this happening all over the place..Of course if a realtor shows up to "show" the place, you're busted:(

[eilen]

6. They might not mind too much

as long as it is clean. Lived in homes show better than deserted ones.

[SoCalDem]

7. True, but a realtor expecting an empty house would report it to the "owner"

and that tip them off to the squatters..

[Quantess]

8. Okay, I know it is illegal

But it makes me smile.

[babylonsister]

9. Me, too. Nice to see someone doing the right thing. I just hope

everyone continues to look the other way.

[Greyhound]

10. K&R. n/t

[Waiting For Everyman]

11. The city should accept nominal rent month-to-month, and let them do it.

Like $1 or something. As long as it's maintained, it's saving the city money. At least they could do that temporarily, until there's a better idea. Or until it's sold to someone.

But why isn't Hope Now doing this anyhow? I've found them to be totally useless myself, but they're getting millions in federal dollars for supposedly counseling people and being their advocates during this crisis.

The feds should give that money to people like this guy instead.

[Pakhet]

12. nobody said anything about maintained...

and how do you get the water and electric turned on?

[Waiting For Everyman]

13. See OP.

Rameau and a group of like-minded advocates formed Take Back the Land, which also helps the new "tenants" with secondhand furniture, cleaning supplies and yard upkeep.

[undergroundpanther]

16. Some people are just happy to be out of the elements

They don't have TV's to run ,and they are not squeamish of showering in unusual places or pooping in the woods.
The ability to SLEEP without FEAR of cops,thrill seeking asshole bullies,mean dogs,or being rained on matters.More than you would ever know,if you have never been on the street.

[Raksha]

17. Wonderful idea! I totally agree.

Re The city should accept nominal rent month-to-month, and let them do it. Like $1 or something. As long as it's maintained, it's saving the city money. At least they could do that temporarily, until there's a better idea. Or until it's sold to someone.

Having homeless people and hundreds of vacant houses in the same city makes NO sense, and both are a disgrace and a blight on the area. The Goddess knows we have plenty of both here in San Bernardino. Just in my immediate neighborhood, I estimate there are about 3-4 vacant houses per block...and this is the "nice" part of town! It's a total waste all the way around.

[undergroundpanther]

19. A permanant undreclass

keeps people over a barrel just enough to squeeze maximum profits from the working class.Silly they won't do that,because the rich WANT MORE and more and more profits.The rich profit from public distress(problem -reaction- solution games) they don't give a shit about the well being of the least of human beings.

[undergroundpanther]

18. the city should not charge them anything

They are poor enough.Why squeeze blood from a stone,squeeze instead the fat juicy maggot CEO or banker that pays no taxes that CREATES this ,situation speculating and profiting from it.
The greedy create the needy.The needy should not have to feed the greedy, the rich already have too much.

[undergroundpanther]

14. Expropriate the expropriators!

Like it!!

BTW having a place to exist, it is vital to having freedom.
As is food,water,health care and public transport & time to enrich oneself or relax..What if these 6 things were considered a necessity of life things not owned by corporations,but were part of being a citizen,things required for all people's well being?

The RIGHT to food is provided in OTHER COUNTRIES CONSTITUTIONS.However,the Constitutional rights of people are never guaranteed..Especially when there is a greedy upper class to make sure there is a lower class they can suck dry..The rich everywhere DO actively prevent the realization of these basic rights expressed in there more humane ideals,absent in OUR constitution. It is the corporate profit hungry parasites who interfere, that want to OWN as much as they can steal and they do not give a shit who starves or suffers because of their greed. The RICH and CALLOUS and RUTHLESS are the few to be BLAMED for 99.9% of poverty everywhere in the world.The greedy DO create the needy and keep the needy needing. It is the greedy who must be made or forced to share,what the earth gives to ALL,land,access to water,food shelter etc. A few must not be permitted to steal or take more than everyone else if it means others go without.

Profit IS theft.Corporate greed and the insatiable thirst to turn a profit, to satiate shareholders profit expectations have corrupted human rights,For profits anything is justified in order to get more corporate profit and satisfy the unrealistic greed driven expectations of the share-holders; who already rich ,will maintain the illusion of profitable corporation helps the very people it sucks dry and throws away. It is a vicious lie that feeds itself at everyone else's expense a predatory parasite's system leading us all to disaster because we believe the lies it fed us from cradle to grave..

This outlines some of what I am saying..
http://www.socialistworker.co.uk/art.php?id=1320

Countries with a right to food shelter etc.already exist.Places Like:

BANGLADESH Article 15 (Provision of basic necessities)
"It shall be a fundamental responsibility of the State to attain, through planned economic growth, a constant increase of productive forces and a steady improvement of the material and cultural
standard of living of the people, with a view to securing to its citizens... the provision of the basic necessities of life, including food, clothing, shelter..."

ECUADOR Article 19
"...The right to a standard of living that ensures the necessary health, food, clothing, housing, medical care and social services."

NIGERIA Article 16
"The State shall assure, within the context of the ideals and objectives for which provisions are made in this constitution,... that suitable and adequate shelter, suitable and adequate food, reasonable living wages, are provided for all citizens."


And get what these countries the rich asshole americans call evil say....

PAKISTAN Article 38
"The State shall provide basic necessities of life, such as food, clothing, housing, education and medical relief."



http://www.fao.org/docrep/w9990e/w9990e12.htm

Poverty VS Basic rights in Kenya.
The basic rights approach considers poverty as the denial and violation of the fundamental human rights in the context of the inability of the State to provide the basic needs. This makes poverty an integral part of the governance equation. Development should and must be centered on human beings and the central goals of development must include the eradication of poverty, the fulfillment of the basic needs of all people and the protection of all human rights.

http://www.commonlii.org/ke/other/KECKRC/2001/3.html

Homeless have a right to set up shelter in parks, court rules in BC
http://willcocks.blogspot.com/2008/10/homeless-have-right-to-set-up-shelter.html

"Expropriate the expropriators," wrote Karl Marx 150 years ago. What does it mean? It means the majority in society must, ultimately, seize control of all the assets and wealth of the minority who control society.
http://www.socialistworker.co.uk/art.php?id=1320