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What to do with foreclosed houses? How about letting homeless families move in? An innovative idea that's also illegal.
American streets are littered with foreclosed houses, but one
daring advocate says they shouldn't go to waste. He encourages and
facilitates homeless "squatting." It's an idea that addresses two
issues at once - homelessness and foreclosed homes - and
it's also completely illegal. NOW ON PBS travels to Miami to
meet with Max Rameau, a long-time advocate for the homeless.
Rameau's organization, Take Back the Land, identifies empty homes
that are still livable and tries to find responsible families
willing to take the enormous legal risks of moving in.
Rameau, who considers his mission an act of civil disobedience,
says it's immoral to keep homes vacant while there are human beings
living on the street. While these vocal squatters have morality in
their hearts, they don't have the law on their side.
With the faltering economy separating so many people from their
homes, what's society's responsibility to those short on
shelter?
NOW Online will feature the latest facts and figures on
homelessness, state-by-state help, as well as a video report on the
new and surprising face of the homeless: the middle class.