HOARDING Tackling the Broader Issues The Task Force Approach to Service Delivery

Hoarding Defined Hoarding is the excessive collection of items, along with the inability to discard them. Mayo Clinic

Hoarding: The Problem Contributing factors Contributing factors Economic conditions Economic conditions Aging population Aging population Stressful life events Stressful life events Brain Trauma Brain Trauma A history of alcohol abuse A history of alcohol abuse Can occur anywhere: Can occur anywhere: Urban Areas Urban Areas Suburbs Suburbs Rural areas Rural areas Rental or owner occupied Rental or owner occupied

Who Fits the Profile? Hoarding behaviors can be exhibited by people of all ages, educational backgrounds, religious affiliation, social status and political leaning.

What Do People Hoard? Trash and material of minor to no value Trash and material of minor to no value Newspapers Newspapers Old clothing Old clothing Animals Animals Food Food Tires Tires Equipment and auto parts Equipment and auto parts WEAPONS WEAPONS

Impact of Hoarding Self care becomes difficult Health care is neglected Social isolation Risk of fire increases Interior spaces are reduced Mobility is reduced Structural risks develop Rodent Infestation

Impact on Others Health Hazard: Health Hazard: Rodents and insects Rodents and insects Odors Odors Fire and Structural Risks: Fire and Structural Risks: Greater risk for public safety personnel Greater risk for public safety personnel Fire loading Fire loading Risk of structural failure Risk of structural failure Property values may be at risk Property values may be at risk Good neighbor policy erodes Good neighbor policy erodes Complaints escalate Complaints escalate

Hoarding Statistics Compulsive Hoarding is reported to affect approximately 3 million Americans across the United States. Compulsive Hoarding is reported to affect approximately 3 million Americans across the United States. Up to a quarter million animals–250,000 per year–are victims of hoarding. Up to a quarter million animals–250,000 per year–are victims of hoarding. 46% people who hoard material are, or have been in therapy 46% people who hoard material are, or have been in therapy 74% Felt therapy helped understand & change cluttering behavior. 74% Felt therapy helped understand & change cluttering behavior. The first reported hoarding task force in the United States was created in Fairfax County in The first reported hoarding task force in the United States was created in Fairfax County in 1989.

Alexandria Hoarding Task Force The Task Force developed a process to ensure that hoarding cases are referred to appropriate departments for occupant assessment, intervention, mental health services and support. The task force meets monthly and on an emergency basis to track status of cases, address issues and develop action plans and work plans to remediate hoarding conditions.

The Hoarding Task Force Hoarding Task Forces are typically made up of a diverse group of professionals that include: Department of Code Administration Office of the Fire Marshal Police Departments Animal Control Adult Protective Services Child Protective Services Mental Health Services Geriatric Health services Office of the City Attorney

Alexandria Task Force Mission Ensure a safe, healthy living environment for those found to be hoarding and those who may be affected by a hoarding condition Prevent hoarding behaviors from creating hazards for themselves and others Evaluate the financial, physical and mental ability of the hoarder to address the conditions to be corrected Guide and provide necessary resources to abate the unsafe/unhealthy conditions Provide regular follow-up through the hoarding abatement process

Resources Fire Marshals and Fire Inspectors Fire Marshals and Fire Inspectors Building Official and Building Inspectors Building Official and Building Inspectors Maintenance Code Official and Inspectors Maintenance Code Official and Inspectors Rebuilding Together Alexandria Rebuilding Together Alexandria Family Family Friends Friends Department of Human Services Department of Human Services Adult Protective Services Adult Protective Services Mental Health Professionals Mental Health Professionals Child Protective Services Child Protective Services Animal Control Officers Animal Control Officers Fire and Emergency Medical Service providers Fire and Emergency Medical Service providers Building Management Building Management Commonwealth and City Attorney Commonwealth and City Attorney Hoarding Task Force Hoarding Task Force Charity Organizations Charity Organizations Sheriff Sheriff Police Police

Discussion How prevalent is hoarding in your jurisdiction? Does your jurisdiction have a formal policy or procedure for responding to hoarding situations, such as a task force or a lead agency? Do you have any recommendations on ways to improve the response to hoarding (e.g. new policies, procedures, coordination, regulations, laws)?

Thank you