Tech & Biz

Group moves people into foreclosed houses

by Jordan Yerman | December 30, 2008 at 02:11 pm

246 views | 27 Recommendations | 7 comments

Max Rameau is a sort of guerrilla real-estate agent whose group helps the homeless to occupy foreclosed houses in Miami. Interestingly, the city knows about this, but is taking no action to stop them, effectively saying that it is the banks' problem.

[...]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.

Let's face it, banks are not in the business of real estate, and homelessness isn't going away soon. this sort of thing is not a long-term solution, but it is definitley making lemonade out of nationwide lemons. I wonder if any houses have been occupied by their former residents.
(found via boingboing)

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Geneva B

at 14:14 on December 30th, 2008

This is awesome.

Paschen

at 15:29 on December 30th, 2008

I like this, however I can see some one getting really upset once it becomes to public and then use major Police force with Court orders.

Emilio Lizardo

at 15:37 on December 30th, 2008

He will be in deep legal trouble before he can say, "forclosure!"

mmk

at 22:16 on December 30th, 2008

Troubles Invited forever ???

Blue Crush

at 22:45 on December 30th, 2008

Here's another use for those empty houses:
Skaters Jump In as Foreclosures Drain the Pool

Jordan Yerman

at 06:33 on February 5th, 2009

Like in Dogtown and Z-Boys.

Sepp (not verified)

at 06:08 on February 5th, 2009

Great use for peopleless homes - match them with homeless people. Meanwhile...

In Michigan, Wayne County Sheriff Warren Evans announced Monday he won’t enforce sales of foreclosed homes. And in Ohio, Rep. Marcy Kaptur is encouraging homeowners facing foreclosures to stay in their homes.

From http://www.democracynow.org/2009/2/3/rep_marcy_kaptur_d_oh_urges