Anyone have any resources to help a hoarder in DC?

Submitted by AnonyJustAName t3_ztyphu in washingtondc

I'm trying to help an elderly acquaintance who is a hoarder and who is at risk of eviction as there is a resulting mouse problem. Besides urging him to call Legal Council for the Elderly for legal help, does anyone have resources re: help for clearing out and cleaning?

I found the Address Our Mess company, but they have mixed reviews, any others to consider or stay away from? He has already been served with a notice so time is short to cure the issues cited. If he is evicted, with that on his record, he will be at real risk of homelessness. He is a sweet guy and I am worried for him. Any constructive ideas are welcome.

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Deanocracy t1_j1g3ldm wrote

Is HE willing to have the clutter cleared?

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AnonyJustAName OP t1_j1gkr59 wrote

At the moment, yes, he has actually been clearing stuff. But, I think it is probably too big a task for him and also he gets bogged down in the process. It must still be pretty bad bc he won't let people he knows help. He did seem a bit open to some kind of professional help if it lessened the chances of losing his apt.

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ehtooh t1_j1jmt46 wrote

He’s probably embarrassed, I have a friend who is in a similar situation. She’s in her 70s and her place is quite bad. I’ve offered to help multiple times but she puts me off. Selfishly I am not in a rush because I’m terrified of the processes, so I’ve been considering just finding professionals to handle it for her. I’ll be following this post. Good luck, OP.

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AnonyJustAName OP t1_j1knrlv wrote

That is kind of you to offer. There are some local organizers with experience working with hoarders. Given that my neighbor has gotten a notice kicking off the eviction process, I think it has become something that needs a team to address very quickly along with supports to address underlying causes, address legal issues and hopefully prevent homelessness, etc.

For your friend, Organizing Maniacs is one name that has come up in searches. If your friend's situation has a bit more time to address, they may be worth reaching out to.

This is a tough issue and the threat of eviction that could lead to homelessness is terrifying.

Best to all coping with this issue with friends and loved ones.

Here are 2 possible resources for DC residents

This specifically mentions services to help declutter the home https://dacl.dc.gov/service/case-management, this other link may serve as a guide to additional resources

https://odr.dc.gov/book/path/services-senior-citizens

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CaptainObvious110 t1_j1i71sf wrote

That's a good question, because it becomes a choice if he keeps the stuff he will have to keep it outside. Or he can get rid of the stuff and stay inside.

Hopefully he can get this cleaned up and can properly address what he's dealing with mentally

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hugelkult t1_j1gcjv9 wrote

Think more social worker

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Optimal-Nose1092 t1_j1ghcw1 wrote

It is very kind of you to help him. He needs to contact Legal Council for the Elderly for help representing him. He can work with the landlord on a mediation plan. He should contact the Office on Aging and Community Living for support.

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AnonyJustAName OP t1_j1gl7oc wrote

Thank you! He has left a msg for Legal Counsel for the Elderly but I will suggest he follow up again on Monday. I had not heard of the other office, really appreciate the suggestion.

He is a very nice guy who is always doing kind things for others so I hope this all works out ok for him.

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MidnightSlinks t1_j1hybnz wrote

Monday is the observed Christmas holiday so they might not get back to him until Tuesday.

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pakgwei t1_j1gq3hk wrote

DC has a low-key program/partnership... they can provide funding to a small commercial crew to help evictions. They did this for my neighbor. The neighbor was required to go through a social worker, located I believe at the Department of Aging and Community Living.

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AnonyJustAName OP t1_j1gv9or wrote

So were they helpful in preventing or accomplishing the eviction? I believe there are post eviction clean up crews that can be hired so I am not sure which you mean?

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pakgwei t1_j1i2wan wrote

It wasn't a rental property. But the fire marshals did say they were more satisfied with the state of the property afterwards.

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AnonyJustAName OP t1_j1nbby1 wrote

This is great info, thanks so much! I will pass it along.

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pakgwei t1_j1i6l6h wrote

Sorry... Just reread my original wording....I meant to say the crew helped with hoarders haul out.

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Unabletomakelemonade t1_j1iske0 wrote

Has he been through landlord/tenant court and gotten a court order followed by the 30 day eviction notice with a scheduled date? There is an eviction prevention hotline. If not, it takes a while to reach that point.

DC Dept of Aging can help with referrals. The agencies they contract with have funds to help with cleaning to prevent eviction. Agencies by Ward. Find his here.. But without ongoing support he will soon be back in the same place. Hoarding support isn’t just a matter of cleaning.

Many Wards have whats called “villages” that help residents volunteer coordinate services on behalf of elderly residents. This can fill in the gaps.

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AnonyJustAName OP t1_j1nfj7l wrote

He got some kind of notice on his door with a court date in mid January starting the process. Thank you so much for these resources! He said he left a msg with Legal Services for the Elderly but with the holidays has not heard back yet. Looking at the Office on Aging website they have connections to a lot of resources. I will encourage him to reach out to them. Really appreciate the info! Hopefully he can get help and an eviction can be averted.

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gamecube100 t1_j1grmzm wrote

Wtf, this guy does not need help protecting himself from the landlords eviction. He needs help from himself.

If he has hoarded trash to an extent that he has caused a rodent issue, then the landlord absolutely should be kicking him out. Do not start some bizarre legal process to try to screw the landlord in this scenario.

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AnonyJustAName OP t1_j1gvlfk wrote

An elderly person seeking services from Legal Counsel for the Elderly is not "some bizarre legal process." I agree with you as most readers likely do that any lease violations need to be corrected and there needs to be some plan in place to prevent Groundhog Day.

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CaptainObvious110 t1_j1i6qsu wrote

I'm curious as to how long this has been going on? I certainly feel bad for the guy who clearly needed help before things got to this point in the first place.

At the same time, this is more than an issue of what is aesthetically pleasing it's a serious health issue for other residents as well and that simply cannot go on.

I don't want to see him put out but this can't go on.

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ehtooh t1_j1jlul3 wrote

Also trash doesn’t create rodents out of thin air. They come in from somewhere when it’s cold and there is warmth, they’ll use the trash probably to feast or build nests but he didn’t create them out of nothing. And no where did OP say he wants to help the guy screw people over, just to help him not get evicted.

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