Man finds homeless man using part of his house for weeks

BOSTON, MA – A series of unsettling break-ins has recently left Boston residents on edge, as individuals seeking refuge have been found occupying homes and vehicles without permission. In a particularly alarming incident, a father of two discovered a man had been living in the unfinished upstairs area of his home, which was undergoing renovations.

Matthew Hammond, the homeowner, recounted hearing footsteps above while having breakfast with his young children, aged four and six. Upon investigation, he found belongings indicating someone had been residing there for weeks. Hammond suspects the intruder gained access by stealing a key from a lockbox.

The situation escalated when Boston police apprehended the man near Pemberton Street in the South End. Another resident in the area reported a similar experience, where an individual broke into her car to sleep. The arrested man was found to have outstanding felony warrants.

Residents have been vocal about their concerns, urging authorities to take decisive action. The growing visibility of people sleeping outdoors and using drugs openly has heightened fears about public safety. “If laws are being broken, why is that acceptable in any community?” one neighbor questioned.

In response, a recent executive order from the Trump administration is pushing for stricter measures. The order encourages states to criminalize homelessness and expand the use of civil commitments, a form of indefinite forced treatment.

Critics, however, argue that such measures are merely punitive. Joyce Tavon of the Massachusetts Housing and Shelter Alliance expressed concerns that these actions might worsen the situation. She fears that punishing those who sleep outdoors or use drugs, while undermining housing-first policies, could exacerbate the issue, especially as the number of homeless individuals in Massachusetts has doubled over the past decade.

“I’m really worried that we’re heading in the wrong direction,” Tavon stated, emphasizing the need for more compassionate solutions.

The executive order aims to prioritize federal funding for cities and states that enforce bans on camping, open drug use, loitering, and squatting. This approach has sparked a heated debate on how best to address the complex issue of homelessness.