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Updated over 4 years ago on . Most recent reply
![Brian Lucier's profile image](https://bpimg.biggerpockets.com/no_overlay/uploads/social_user/user_avatar/103699/1648666133-avatar-belaireproperty.jpg?twic=v1/output=image/crop=174x174@2x1/cover=128x128&v=2)
Cash for Keys vs. Cash for "Trees"
Facing a difficult situation today. One of our landlords owns land for development which has become a favorite stomp for homeless people living in the woods. To add to the dilema, the hotel across the parking lot from this property has been converted to a covid recovery center. I have been requested by the Board of Health to assist in the removal first of the people living in the woods, then the removal of all of the stuff they brought in their which is not part of the environment. My plan this morning is to offer the people $10 for each shopping cart filled with trash onto the pavement of the parking lot. Calling it "Cash for Trees".
Looking for any experience from other property managers or situations you may have faced in cooperating with the homeless community. Our intent is to offer compassion and assistance. Not to take homeless people and - well, put them out out "another" street.
Good to remember as we build our RE empires rolling out of a warm bed in our homes and trying to decide what is for breakfast as we stare into the fridge, in our kitchen, in our house - that homelessness is real. Another thought is to bring socks, underwear, food, and water. Not sure if this would offend anyone. Looking for thoughts and guidance.
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![Brian Lucier's profile image](https://bpimg.biggerpockets.com/no_overlay/uploads/social_user/user_avatar/103699/1648666133-avatar-belaireproperty.jpg?twic=v1/output=image/crop=174x174@2x1/cover=128x128&v=2)
Today's rendezvous in the woods "Cash for Trees" went better than expected. The team that went in was the Worcester Board of Health, Life Assistance Homelessness Reps, Worcester Police Department (carrying heat) and myself as the property manager representing the property owner. One week earlier the Board of Health and life Assistance posted notices on the site so they were expecting us today. No unnecessary surprises to folks already in a hard situation.
We met with the temporary residents and they were more than happy to participate in a cleanup of the woods surrounding the hotel that has been making the calls to city hall Board of Health. Each participant will get $100 dollars Friday morning for helping to clean up the area. They can use it however the need to.
We took down the names of the people making their home in the commune in the woods and got their shoe sizes. On Friday morning we will be bringing new sneakers, socks, underwear, and t-shirts as well as the money we promised. We didn't make it about trespassing or being homeless. We treated everyone with dignity and respect and just focused on the issue of cleaning up the environment for the benefit of all.
Hopefully, if all goes well as planned. I have a construction crew coming down Friday morning with a dump truck (possibly 3 to 4 loads) and a Bobcat tractor to widen the path to get the makeshift building structures and excessive shopping carts out of the area and off of the property. The residents are getting the assistance they need. If they do a great job, we are prepared to pay $300 to each person who helped clear the area. I unpacked the situation to the landlord as follows:
- If we need to pay someone to do cleanup, why not pay the people who need the help the most?
- We need to pay a cleanup crew anyways, let's help those in need first
- We treated the affected people with dignity and respect and just talked to them like normal people
- No placing any blame, just focused on solutions and doing the best to help everyone involved
- We are going to assist them further by providing essential needs (socks, underwear, sneakers, shirts)
- We put our best foot forward with city official more than happy to see our creative solution to this hard situation
- Good to have friends and build relationships with city hall for later situations that may arise
- All good will goes to our landlord client for cooperation and providing a professional solution
- This absolutely could have been a lot worse if we did not handle this properly
- Now, when our name rolls across the desks at city hall, they know we are the "good guys"
- The Board of Health and Police Department are going to be happy to work with us on any future issues
We will see how all of this rolls out in a few days on this coming Friday. Keep us and these affected in your prayers.