If you lived next to a foreclosed home, would you prefer it be empty and maybe trashed by vandals and those looking for stuff to steal or occupied by squatters put there and monitored by a homeless advocacy group? Even police often look the other way and neighbors can be supportive.
Mr. Rameau said his group differed from ad hoc squatters by operating openly, screening potential residents for mental illness and drug addiction, and requiring that they earn “sweat equity” by cleaning or doing repairs around the house and that they keep up with the utility bills.