HOARDING Presented To: Presented To: Neighborhood Leaders Group - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

By: By: Paula K Johnson Paula K Johnson

CZA, CBMO CZA, CBMO Neighborhood Services, Prince William County Neighborhood Services, Prince William County

Presented To: Presented To:

Neighborhood Leaders Group Neighborhood Leaders Group April 25, 2012 April 25, 2012

HOARDING

HOARDING HOARDING

What is What is “ “hoarding hoarding” ” and why is it a problem? and why is it a problem? How should neighbors respond to hoarding How should neighbors respond to hoarding complaints? complaints? What is the Hoarding Support Team and how What is the Hoarding Support Team and how did it come about? did it come about? What are the challenges faced by the What are the challenges faced by the individual agencies working hoarding cases? individual agencies working hoarding cases? What are the processes involved in case work? What are the processes involved in case work?

HOARDING HOARDING

What is What is “ “hoarding hoarding” ” and why is it a problem? and why is it a problem?

HOARDING HOARDING— —What is it? What is it?

Hoarding, also known as Hoarding, also known as “ “disposaphobia disposaphobia, ,” ” is usually is usually described as the excessive collection and retention of things described as the excessive collection and retention of things

• r animals until they interfere with day
• r animals until they interfere with day-
• to

to-

• day functions such

day functions such as home, family, work and social life, and health and safety. as home, family, work and social life, and health and safety. Hoarding is a multi Hoarding is a multi-

• faceted problem that has psychological,

faceted problem that has psychological, physical welfare, and public safety implications. physical welfare, and public safety implications.

Hoarding is sometimes referred Hoarding is sometimes referred to as to as “ “Collyer Collyer’ ’s s Disease. Disease.” ” The The Collyer Collyer brothers were both brothers were both found dead in their Manhattan found dead in their Manhattan mansion in 1947. One was mansion in 1947. One was crushed to death under a pile of crushed to death under a pile of rubbish and the other, unable to rubbish and the other, unable to move on his own, slowly move on his own, slowly starved to death. starved to death. After their deaths, in 1947, After their deaths, in 1947, investigators had to break an investigators had to break an upstairs window to gain upstairs window to gain

• entrance. More than 100 tons of
• entrance. More than 100 tons of

items and refuse were removed items and refuse were removed from the building, including a from the building, including a Model T Ford, 5 grand pianos, Model T Ford, 5 grand pianos, and a two headed fetus and a two headed fetus preserved in brine. preserved in brine.

HOARDING HOARDING--

• -What is it?

What is it?

The Famous The Famous Collyer Collyer Brothers Case Brothers Case

HOARDING HOARDING— —What is it? What is it?

It is estimated that there are 6 to 15 million hoarders in the It is estimated that there are 6 to 15 million hoarders in the US, or between 2 US, or between 2 – – 5% of the US population. 5% of the US population. Hoarding occurs on every continent in the world except Hoarding occurs on every continent in the world except Antarctica. Antarctica. Historic accounts show hoarding behavior has been in Historic accounts show hoarding behavior has been in existence for centuries. existence for centuries. Hoarding behavior can co Hoarding behavior can co-

• exist with a wide range of

exist with a wide range of mental health problems, or on its own. mental health problems, or on its own.

HOARDING HOARDING— —What is it? What is it?

Hoarding Hoarding as a clinical symptom is found in many different as a clinical symptom is found in many different psychiatric disorders. psychiatric disorders. It features in dementia, learning disability, schizophrenia, It features in dementia, learning disability, schizophrenia, eating disorders, depression and personality disorders. eating disorders, depression and personality disorders. 84% of hoarders have a first degree family member with 84% of hoarders have a first degree family member with hoarding behaviour. hoarding behaviour. It is most commonly associated with Diogenes Syndrome It is most commonly associated with Diogenes Syndrome and Obsessive and Obsessive-

• Compulsive disorder (OCD).

Compulsive disorder (OCD).

HOARDING HOARDING— —What is it? What is it?

There has been some difficulty classifying hoarding as a There has been some difficulty classifying hoarding as a separate and distinct mental illness but hoarding is separate and distinct mental illness but hoarding is expected to be included in the next edition of the DSM expected to be included in the next edition of the DSM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Illness). (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Illness). For now, hoarding is used as general descriptive term, For now, hoarding is used as general descriptive term, not not a psychiatric diagnosis. a psychiatric diagnosis. At At Neighborhood Neighborhood Services, our concern is with Services, our concern is with challenges to the health and safety of residential living challenges to the health and safety of residential living conditions and of conditions and of neighborhoods neighborhoods caused by hoarding. caused by hoarding.

HOARDING HOARDING— —What is it? What is it?

Hoarders may differ in Hoarders may differ in why why they collect they collect Instrumental vs. Sentimental Instrumental vs. Sentimental And in And in what what they collect they collect Generalist vs. Specialist Generalist vs. Specialist Hoarders have recognized cognitive problems with: Hoarders have recognized cognitive problems with: Decision Decision-

• making

making Emotional attachment Emotional attachment Erroneous beliefs about possessions Erroneous beliefs about possessions

HOARDING HOARDING— —What is it? What is it?

Hoarding occurs among males and females Hoarding occurs among males and females equally, except for animal hoarding which appears to be equally, except for animal hoarding which appears to be predominantly female. predominantly female. Hoarding is thought to begin in childhood in some Hoarding is thought to begin in childhood in some cases cases— —the result of a the result of a “ “traumatic life traumatic life” ”--

• -but can also be

but can also be the result of a the result of a “ “traumatic event traumatic event” ” that escalates hoarding that escalates hoarding behavior. behavior. The ability to accumulate a vast amount of The ability to accumulate a vast amount of personal possessions over a lifetime tends to make personal possessions over a lifetime tends to make hoarding conditions more severe as a person ages. hoarding conditions more severe as a person ages.

HOARDING HOARDING--

• -Why is it a problem?

Why is it a problem?

Hoarding creates a danger not only for the occupants of Hoarding creates a danger not only for the occupants of the structure, but for neighboring residents and for fire the structure, but for neighboring residents and for fire and rescue, police, health, social services, code and rescue, police, health, social services, code enforcement, and other safety personnel. enforcement, and other safety personnel. Fire Danger/Lack of Egress Fire Danger/Lack of Egress Structural Collapse/Suffocation Structural Collapse/Suffocation Health and Sanitation (rotten food, human or Health and Sanitation (rotten food, human or animal waste, rodent/insect infestation, lack of working animal waste, rodent/insect infestation, lack of working utilities or appliances, etc.) utilities or appliances, etc.)

HOARDING HOARDING--

• -Why is it a problem?

Why is it a problem?

It is estimated that It is estimated that hoarding conditions hoarding conditions account for only account for only 1% of fires, but 1% of fires, but 25% of fire 25% of fire-

• related

related deaths. deaths. Deaths from Fire/Lack of Egress Deaths from Fire/Lack of Egress

In this fire that occurred in Montgomery County, MD, last year, In this fire that occurred in Montgomery County, MD, last year, hoarding conditions hoarding conditions were so severe that by the time firefighters removed the occupan were so severe that by the time firefighters removed the occupant of an upstairs bedroom t of an upstairs bedroom it was too late to save her. The other occupant and two firefig it was too late to save her. The other occupant and two firefighters were injured. hters were injured.

HOARDING HOARDING— —Why is it a problem? Why is it a problem?

The corpse of a 67 The corpse of a 67-

• year

year-

• ld woman was found by
• ld woman was found by

her husband in their her husband in their clutter clutter-

• filled home in Las

filled home in Las Vegas, above, four months Vegas, above, four months after she went missing. after she went missing. Her husband had been Her husband had been living with her corpse all living with her corpse all that time. Not even corpse that time. Not even corpse sniffing dogs were able to sniffing dogs were able to locate her body. locate her body.

Deaths from Collapse/Suffocation Deaths from Collapse/Suffocation

HOARDING HOARDING— —Why is it a problem? Why is it a problem?

Other Health and Sanitation Issues: Other Health and Sanitation Issues:

Items stored within vehicles is a Items stored within vehicles is a common first sign of hoarding common first sign of hoarding Once cited with violations for exterior Once cited with violations for exterior violations from hoarding, property violations from hoarding, property

• wners may move everything inside
• wners may move everything inside

HOARDING HOARDING— —Why is it a problem? Why is it a problem?

While large amounts of combustible material create a fire hazard, in many cases the material also blocks or seriously obstructs exit egress paths. This not only limits an occupant’s means

• f escape during an

emergency, it also limits the ability of public safety personnel to get inside the home and puts them at increased risk.

Elderly woman and firefighter injured during fire

HOARDING HOARDING— —Why is it a problem? Why is it a problem?

Homes with severe hoarding conditions suffer far more extensive damage during a fire emergency because the amount

• f combustible material inside
• bstructs doorways and

windows and causes a significant time delay in

• firefighting. The excessive

accumulation of combustible items also causes fires that burn hotter and faster and are more difficult to extinguish.

Space heater operating amid combustible items in this interior townhouse unit

HOARDING HOARDING— —Why is it a problem? Why is it a problem?

Hoarding can also affect a

• kitchen. An accumulation of

grease, food items, and trash greatly increases the potential for a fire and encourages rodent and insect infestation.

Elderly couple unable to use kitchen

HOARDING HOARDING— —Why is it a problem? Why is it a problem?

In many hoarding cases, the plumbing facilities no longer function due to lack of repairs, or they have become inaccessible. Occupants will then use makeshift disposal methods, creating an unsanitary condition and posing a health hazard to themselves and others.

Occupant had no running water or working plumbing facilities.

HOARDING HOARDING— —Why is it a problem? Why is it a problem?

Hoarding can also involve structural

• verload conditions. An

accumulation of newspapers, boxes, magazines, etc., can lead to severe overstressing of structural members such as joists and beams. A room with stacked newspapers can cause floor systems to sag, crack, or even collapse.

Owner had exceeded permissible live load

• f floor system

HOARDING HOARDING— —Why is it a problem? Why is it a problem?

Animal hoarding Animal hoarding poses a serious poses a serious health hazard to a health hazard to a home home’ ’s occupants s occupants and to the animals and to the animals that may have been that may have been collected; i.e., cats, collected; i.e., cats, dogs, rabbits, etc. dogs, rabbits, etc.

An overpopulation of animals in a small environment, such as a An overpopulation of animals in a small environment, such as a single single-

• family dwelling, leads to starvation, disease, accumulation of

family dwelling, leads to starvation, disease, accumulation of feces, and the decomposition of the remains of deceased animals. feces, and the decomposition of the remains of deceased animals.

HOARDING HOARDING

What is What is “ “hoarding hoarding” ” and why is it a problem? and why is it a problem? How should neighbor How should neighbor’ ’s respond to hoarding s respond to hoarding complaints? complaints?

HOARDING HOARDING How Should Neighbor How Should Neighbor’ ’s Respond? s Respond?

3 main signs to look for 3 main signs to look for

Cars filled up with trash and debris. Cars filled up with trash and debris. “ “Stuff Stuff” ” piled up in the windows. piled up in the windows. No trash pick up for long period of time. No trash pick up for long period of time.

HOARDING HOARDING How Should Neighbor How Should Neighbor’ ’s Respond? s Respond?

It is important to remember that It is important to remember that “ “hoarding hoarding” ” behavior in behavior in and of itself is not a specific code violation. and of itself is not a specific code violation. Property owners are not cited for Property owners are not cited for “ “hoarding, hoarding,” ” but for but for zoning, property maintenance, health, fire or other zoning, property maintenance, health, fire or other property code violations caused by the hoarding property code violations caused by the hoarding behavior. behavior.

HOARDING HOARDING How Should Neighbor How Should Neighbor’ ’s Respond? s Respond?

To be successful in gaining compliance, it is important To be successful in gaining compliance, it is important to understand or at least recognize hoarding behavior to understand or at least recognize hoarding behavior when addressing code when addressing code-

• related issues.

related issues. Also, it is important to recognize when serious life Also, it is important to recognize when serious life-

• safety issues exist that warrant further investigation.

safety issues exist that warrant further investigation. Quick fix clean Quick fix clean-

• ups can actually cause hoarding

ups can actually cause hoarding behavior to recur at an even greater rate. behavior to recur at an even greater rate.

HOARDING HOARDING

What is What is “ “hoarding hoarding” ” and why is it a problem? and why is it a problem? How should neighbor How should neighbor’ ’s respond to hoarding ? s respond to hoarding ? What is the Hoarding Support Team and how What is the Hoarding Support Team and how did it come about? did it come about?

HOARDING SUPPORT TEAM HOARDING SUPPORT TEAM

Organized when NS recognized that hoarding is a multi Organized when NS recognized that hoarding is a multi-

• faceted problem requiring a multi

faceted problem requiring a multi-

• agency approach.

agency approach. Began having regular meetings in May 2011. Began having regular meetings in May 2011. Consists of voluntary representatives from Area Agency Consists of voluntary representatives from Area Agency

• n Aging, Health Dept, Neighborhood Services, Fire
• n Aging, Health Dept, Neighborhood Services, Fire

& Rescue, Police, Community Services, Social & Rescue, Police, Community Services, Social Services, Housing, Habitat for Humanity, and others. Services, Housing, Habitat for Humanity, and others. Provides Education, Interagency Cooperation and Provides Education, Interagency Cooperation and Resource Identification on Hoarding Resource Identification on Hoarding-

• Related Cases.

Related Cases.

The Hoarding Support Team established ground rules for The Hoarding Support Team established ground rules for coordinating cases. coordinating cases. Developed a contact list and began identifying and Developed a contact list and began identifying and discussing resources that might be available to hoarders discussing resources that might be available to hoarders and their families. and their families. Compiled a list of agency Compiled a list of agency “ “cans and cans and cannots cannots” ” to establish to establish the enforcement capability of each agency and began an the enforcement capability of each agency and began an educational program so each agency could gain a better educational program so each agency could gain a better understand of other agencies understand of other agencies’ ’ roles. roles.

HOARDING SUPPORT TEAM HOARDING SUPPORT TEAM

HOARDING SUPPORT TEAM HOARDING SUPPORT TEAM

PWC HOARDING STATISTICS SINCE THE HOARDING SUPPORT TEAM WAS FORMED MAY 18, 2011

2011 May June 2 July 3 August 4 September 8 October 12 November 2 December 1 2012 January February 5 March 4 April 5 Total: 46

HOARDING SUPPORT TEAM HOARDING SUPPORT TEAM

Percentage of cases by referral/complaint type: HOA 22% Neighbor 22% DSS 16% FMO 12% PD 12% Inspector 10% Relative 3% Other (Vendor) 3%

HOARDING SUPPORT TEAM HOARDING SUPPORT TEAM

Percentage of cases by hoarding severity level: Undetermined 16% Mild 12% Moderate 26% Severe 46%

HOARDING SUPPORT TEAM HOARDING SUPPORT TEAM

Cases by structure type: Apartment/Condo 29% Townhouse 10% Single-Family Dwelling 61% Cases by whether hoarder owns or rents the property: Owns 83% Rents 17%

HOARDING SUPPORT TEAM HOARDING SUPPORT TEAM

4 of the 31 cases last year required the structure to be condemned by PCE and the occupants removed. 2 of the cases involved properties owned or occupied by the same persons. At least 12 cases involved multiple residents living in the hoarding environment. 17 cases had no previous PCE complaints but 14 cases did, with 1 to 6 complaints on average. 1 case had as many as 18 previous complaints.

HOARDING HOARDING

What is What is “ “hoarding hoarding” ” and why is it a problem? and why is it a problem? How should neighbor How should neighbor’ ’s respond to hoarding ? s respond to hoarding ? What is the Hoarding Support Team and how What is the Hoarding Support Team and how did it come about? did it come about? What are the processes involved in case work? What are the processes involved in case work?

HOARDING HOARDING Processes Involved in Casework Processes Involved in Casework

Enforcement Authority Remains Unchanged Enforcement Authority Remains Unchanged

Each of the individual agencies that make up the HST retain their individual enforcement authority and process their cases as they would any other case.

HOARDING HOARDING Processes Involved in Casework Processes Involved in Casework

NS/PCE—deals with hoarding of household items

• n both interior and exterior of property, lack of essential

plumbing and electric facilities, and other unsafe conditions related to the dwelling. Animal Control—deals with animal hoarding. DSS—assesses living environment for health and wellbeing of occupants in response to complaints, remove

• ccupants if necessary or provide treatment.

HOARDING HOARDING

Processes Involved in Casework Processes Involved in Casework F&R/PD—assesses living conditions (usually in response to 911 calls) and refers; assists PCE in execution

• f search warrants.

Health—makes assessments, issues notices and recommends abatement action. Other Agencies—become involved as needed and/or as requested.

PCE Guidelines for Processing Hoarding Cases: PCE Guidelines for Processing Hoarding Cases:

Background Information Background Information Check calls to other agencies Check calls to other agencies--

• -PD or F&R calls for service

PD or F&R calls for service may have noted difficulty entering structure. may have noted difficulty entering structure. Check for utility usage Check for utility usage--

• -little or no electric or water usage in

little or no electric or water usage in

• ccupied dwelling may indicate property maintenance violation.
• ccupied dwelling may indicate property maintenance violation.

Check for prior complaints/cases Check for prior complaints/cases--

• -prior case for outside

prior case for outside storage of items may have been moved to interior of structure. storage of items may have been moved to interior of structure.

HOARDING SUPPORT TEAM HOARDING SUPPORT TEAM Processes Involved in Case Work Processes Involved in Case Work

Case Evaluation Case Evaluation Identify level of hoarding severity Identify level of hoarding severity Identify enforcement authority Identify enforcement authority Balance individual Balance individual’ ’s rights with risk of danger to self and s rights with risk of danger to self and

• thers
• thers—

—are others living in the structure, are elderly or children are others living in the structure, are elderly or children affected, is this detached single affected, is this detached single-

• family dwelling vs. multi

family dwelling vs. multi-

• family

family unit? unit?

HOARDING SUPPORT TEAM HOARDING SUPPORT TEAM Process Involved in Case Work Process Involved in Case Work

Enforcement/Abatement Strategy Enforcement/Abatement Strategy Make every attempt to gain entry with permission of Make every attempt to gain entry with permission of

• wner, but if necessary, obtain search warrant.
• wner, but if necessary, obtain search warrant.

Issue violation notices and work with owners/tenants to Issue violation notices and work with owners/tenants to achieve abatement voluntarily prior to court action. achieve abatement voluntarily prior to court action. Make referrals to other agencies as requested or as Make referrals to other agencies as requested or as appropriate. appropriate.

HOARDING SUPPORT TEAM HOARDING SUPPORT TEAM Process Involved in Case Work Process Involved in Case Work

HOARDING HOARDING

What is What is “ “hoarding hoarding” ” and why is it a problem? and why is it a problem? How should neighbor How should neighbor’ ’s respond to hoarding ? s respond to hoarding ? What is the Hoarding Support Team and how What is the Hoarding Support Team and how did it come about? did it come about? What are the processes involved in case work? What are the processes involved in case work? What are the challenges faced by the What are the challenges faced by the individual agencies working hoarding cases? individual agencies working hoarding cases?

HOARDING HOARDING

Challenged Faced by Individual Agencies Challenged Faced by Individual Agencies

Physical Danger Fire safety for first responders Structural Collapse (of stacks of items, or structure) Hazardous Materials Infectious disease (roaches, rodents, fleas) Air quality (rotting food, dead animals) Threats of Violence, etc. Lack of Clear Enforcement Authority In some cases there overlap between agencies and in

• thers, there is a gap in enforcement authority.

HOARDING HOARDING

Challenged Faced by Individual Agencies Challenged Faced by Individual Agencies

Lack of Resources There are very few free resources available to help with cleanup, provide long-term counseling, or to provide shelter for displaced residents. Lack of Understanding of Hoarding Behavior Hoarding behavior is very complex, making it difficult to find one approach that works in all situations. Stress Dealing with hoarding cases can be mentally and emotionally stressful.

HOARDING HOARDING

Questions? Questions?