Have you heard of home takeovers before? For most people in the community, the term is unknown and new.
However, you may be familiar with hearing about an older adult whose daughter or son has “temporarily” moved in with them. Eventually, the senior would like their adult child to leave because their behaviours are disruptive and they are actually jeopardizing the housing situation. Emotionally, it is difficult to ask their loved one to leave, especially when they refuse. This all-too-common scenario can become a home takeover.
Home takeovers have been defined as: a situation in which a legitimate tenant or homeowner finds themselves unsafe, physically, financially or psychologically, because of the presence of people in their home that they may or may not be able to remove.
Home takeovers are not new and have been occurring in communities throughout the world, including Guelph Wellington. In the UK, the term home takeovers is known as “cuckooing”. This name comes from the behaviour of the cuckoo bird that invades another bird’s nest and eventually takes over their home.
According to research by Johny-Angel Butera commissioned by the City of Ottawa and Crime Prevention Ottawa, home takeovers occur more often than we think, or are aware of, with a large proportion of home takeovers occurring in subsidized public housing apartment buildings.
There are several factors that can put someone at risk of a home takeover. Isolation has been identified as the most significant factor that makes someone more vulnerable to a home takeover occurring.
Often home takeovers start out innocently and subtly. A friend or family member needs temporary housing. Perhaps a family member has suffered a job loss and are financially unable to maintain their own housing. They promise to help the senior by paying rent, buying groceries or providing minor health care supports. The homeowner enjoys all these supports as well as companionship and welcomes the person into their home. Initially the homeowner and the person taking over are fulfilling unmet needs.
Due to the subtle nature when a home takeover occurs, you may not notice immediately, but there are signs that may help you to identify one.
Changes in behaviour of the homeowner
Is the person more withdrawn? Has their personality changed?
Are they expressing often that they are out of money or that they don’t have enough for rent, for groceries, etc.?
Are there changes in their physical appearance? Wearing the same clothing every time you see them? Weight loss? Declining personal hygiene?
Is the person cancelling meetings or they are refusing to let you into their home?
Has the homeowner mentioned directly or indirectly that there is someone staying with them?
Changes in the environment
You are noticing more people that you don’t recognize coming and going from the home?
Is there an increase in noise?
Does the inside of the home look messier compared to before?
Do you see belongings that don’t belong to the homeowner or their belongings are missing?
Strategies that may be helpful include:
– try to have a meaningful conversation about the risks and dangers of having unwanted guests in their home;
– start a non-judgmental conversation and offer gentle encouragement in connecting with supports that can help. Ask if there is someone that they trust that they can reach out to such as a friend or other family member;
– always call 911 or police if you suspect an emergency or that a crime is occurring.
Home takeovers can be traumatizing. The person may feel responsible for a friend of family member becoming homeless. They may feel shame that they did not recognize the situation was occurring earlier and may be afraid of retribution from the person who took over their home. It is important to keep in mind that solutions to resolving home takeovers often take time and patience. It may take several attempts and different solutions.
Working together as a community to support victims, along with education about home takeovers, are important first steps toward the hope of preventing these situations from happening.
(Content presented here has been adapted, with permission by Crime Prevention Ottawa.)
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Samantha Kim is the Vulnerable Seniors Lead with CMHA Waterloo Wellington. The “Open Mind” column is sponsored by community partners who are committed to raising awareness about mental health, reducing stigma and providing information about resources that can help. For local mental health resources/information, visit www.mdsgg.ca or call 1-844-HERE247.