Squatting on the Rise in Detroit

With more than 100,000 empty homes within the city of Detroit, squatters are increasingly moving in.

1 minute read

August 25, 2011, 1:00 PM PDT

By Nate Berg


"Once they're in, it's tough to get rid of them: Michigan law places the burden of proof on rightful owners, and the eviction process can take months.

Gretchen Barrow knows the problem all too well. She fought for months to remove two families in her neighborhood on the west side and fears the situation will only worsen.

'With families losing houses, they've got to go somewhere,' said Barrow, 57."

OIfficials say that reports of squatting have tripled in the past few years.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011 in The Detroit News

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