SEATTLE, Wash. — Inspectors from the Seattle Department of Planning and Development issued an emergency housing order after we contacted them about a cluster of houses along Rainier Avenue South that has been taken over by squatters.
The property owner now has 72 hours to make sure the entry points are boarded up so squatters can't get inside.
"These squatters are very persistent - they just keep coming back," said a man named Jim, who lives a few doors down from the homes.
He and other neighbors say they've been calling police about squatters going in and out of the house for years.
"The reality is that that you've got to keep an eye on things they just keep coming," said Jim.
The cluster of 3 houses sits on a parcel that is valued at around $2 million, and similar parcels and homes along Rainier Avenue South are valued around $1 million.
Two inspectors from DPD confirmed that there were signs of trespassers and squatters on the property.
DPD says there are about 89 homes on its radar of vacant properties that may be vulnerable to squatters.
The property on Rainier Avenue South is not on that list.
"We would love to not have to deal with it, we're already putting in a lot of money into cleaning this up," said Steve Hickey, who is a consultant for the property owner.
He added, "It's a constant problem we want to make sure we're not creating more problems for the neighbors."
Hickey said the plan is to build three new houses here, but first permits have to be approved.
A spokesperson for DPD estimates it should take another two to four months.
Neighbors say until the homes are demolished they'll continue calling police to report the problem.
"The reality is that that you've got to keep an eye on things," said Jim.
DPD says if the property owner does not secure the homes within 72 hours, they could face fines of up to $1,000 a day until the buildings are secured.
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