
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
The foreclosure crisis has affected families and communities throughout the United States hard … some more than others. Miami, Fla., which at its peak several years ago boasted a booming condominium market, is among those hardest hit.
And rather than let foreclosed homes sit vacant while families fend for themselves on the streets, one local activist, Max Rameau, is taking matters into his own hands and moving families — albeit illegally — into the bank-owned properties.
He’s also doing it in broad daylight and not under the cloak of the night.
Here’s is what he had to say about the brazen initiative:
“We’re matching homeless people with people-less homes…. I think everyone deserves a home. 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?”
Rameau is part of a recently-formed organization called, Take Back the Land. In addition to “placing” homeless families in foreclosure homes the group provides them with “secondhand furniture, cleaning supplies and yard upkeep
As mentioned earlier, this process, which is essentially referred to as squatting, is illegal and punishable by law. However, Rameau and his associates do not seem deterred by the prospect of possible arrest.
Here’s another quote from him:
“Within a couple of months, this place would be stripped and drug dealers would be living here. There’s a real need here, and there’s a disconnect between the need and the law. Being arrested is just one of the potential factors in doing this.”
Rameau has thus far helped six families into foreclosed homes and has nine on a waiting list, according to the report. He has not been arrested or approached by the authorities … yet.



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March 4, 2009 at 10:30 am
Donald Sheldon
What an interesting concept. I wonder what the end game is here for all parties involved. It is obvious that lenders cannot just allow indefinite occupation of foreclosed homes. It is equally obvious that the squatters are providing a kind of security service that otherwise would not be available to lenders. Moving into a home that you know is for a short period of time might work for all parties except that the law of liability and lack of insurance would need to be researched and probably rewritten for accommodate squatters. There may be a business here. A kind of “broker” for lenders and squatters to get them together and protect both parties.
Donald Sheldon