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Hoarding

“People who hoard often don’t see it as a problem, making treatment challenging.”
- Mayo Clinic

Compulsive Hoarding is the acquisition of and failure to discard a large number of possessions. Homes of hoarders tend to be filled top to bottom with clutter and garbage. (Source: Boston University School of Social Work)

It Is On The Rise. In the last five years, the Inspectional Services Department (ISD) Housing Inspectors have seen a significant increase of hoarding cases. On average, hoarding referrals occur 4-5 times a year. First respondents like EMTs often observe the living conditions on emergency calls.

Partnerships. Presently ISD works with the following agencies: Elderly Services, Ethos, Department of Neighborhood Development, Boston Fire Department, and Baycove Human Services – Tenancy Preservation Project.

Inspection Process

Hoarding can prove unsafe, unsanitary and a possible danger to occupants and adjacent units.

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Fire Hazards

Failure to provide a clear pathway in case of emergency, as well as:

• Clutter – preventing professionals from entering the home to extinguish a fire
• Combustible materials in the home either near heat sources or on top of the stove
• Large quantities of combustible materials in the home (ex: newspapers, books)
• Absence of working smoke detectors
• Defective electric or heating systems

Health Hazards: • Accumulation of garbage (i.e. spoiled food)
• Infestation of rodents, insects or other pests that can contribute to the spread of disease.
• Absence or lack of usable facilities (i.e. toilet, sink, sewage disposal system, wash basin, shower or tub)
• Accumulation of animal waste

Safety Hazards: • Fall risk from excessive debris on floor blocking pathways
• Stairways cluttered and impassable
• No safe place to sleep, eat or sit

Referral Process

Make a notation of the code infractions.
Give notice to the occupant/and or property owner.
Property owner is given a variable period of time to remedy the violation (typically 30 days).
Inspector may refer case to various agencies for assistance.

Elderly: If the occupant is elderly the case can be referred to the Elderly Services, Ethos and possible DND for financial assistance if needed.
Mental Health: Occupants with mental health issues maybe referred to social services, home care agencies and the Department of Public Health Commission and Animal Control (if small pets are involved).

Common Violation Types

Massachusetts State Sanitary Code
Fire Safety Codes
Mass State Building Codes
City Ordinances

Sanitary Code Violations: State Sanitary Code 410:602 – MAINTANCE OF AREAS FREE FROM GARBAGE AND RUBBISH
“Dwelling units: The occupant of any dwelling unit shall be responsible for maintaining it in a clean and sanitary condition and free of garbage, rubbish or other filth or causes of sickness that part of the dwelling the he exclusively occupies or controls.”
State Sanitary Code 410.740 – CONDITIONS DEEMED TO ENDANGER OR IMPAIR HEALTH OR SAFETY
“(g) Failure to provide adequate exists or the obstruction of any exit, passageway or common ware caused by any object, including garbage or trash, which prevents egress in case of an emergency.”
“(i) Failure to comply with any provision of 105 CMR 410.600, 410.601, or 410.602 that results in any accumulation of garbage, rubbish, filth or other causes of sickness, which may provide a food source or harborage for rodents, insects or other pests or otherwise contributes to accidents or the creation or spread of disease”.
State Sanitary Code 410.602 – Maintenance of Areas Free from Garbage and Rubbish
The occupant of any dwelling unit shall be responsible for maintaining in a clean and sanitary condition and free of garbage, rubbish, other filth or causes of sickness.

Additional Resources: The MassHousing website hosts a comprehensive statewide listing of Hoarding Resources and links.
www.masshousing.com

Online Services

Inspectional Services

City Departments

Housing Division

1010 Mass Ave., 5th Floor
Boston, MA 02118
Tel: 617-635-5300
Fax: 617-635-5383
Email: ISDhousing@cityofboston.gov

Housing Inspectors Contact List

cityofboston.gov - Official Web Site of the City of Boston - Thomas M. Menino, Mayor

Hoarding

Inspection Process

Online Services

Inspectional Services

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