The “Squatting Epidemic:” What Is Really Happening?
A person sits in front of a bed with their belongings strewn about. Photo from Greta Schölderle Möller via Unsplas
New York City natives have shown a news feed of squatting-related incidents across the city, although reporting on the issue is inflated as the Washington Post reports.
However, squatting is a very rare occurrence. There is no federal database even bothering to track the times squatting has been committed. Sateesh Nori, a professor at New York University Law School, said in an interview with the Washington Post. “It only takes two or three examples for people to think this is rampant. I don’t doubt the facts in these incidents that have been reported — and it’s quite horrible what’s happened to these homeowners — but I don’t think there is some kind of epidemic of squatters taking over neighborhoods in New York City or anywhere.”
Per the Washington Post, data shows there’s been a massive uptick in squatting coverage around the end of March. Nori claims that squatters don’t have that many rights to begin with. The term that’s being used is “adverse possession.” It’s a concept that allows squatters to move in and legally claim that land as their own.
However, there are a multitude of conditions that a squatter has to meet before it’s even a possibility that they qualify, as detailed by the website Nolo. While it is true that the waiting period is significantly shorter in the city than in the rest of the state, all of the other conditions make it reasonably easy to make sure that you can evict them. The likelihood of them all being met within reason is very low.
Many are pointing to politics being the reason for this dilemma turning into such a major concern within the news. “If you’re a Democrat and trying to build more housing and city infrastructure, this is a great way to say, ‘Hey look here, this is an example of what we’re trying to help fix.’ If you're a Republican, it’s a great way to say, ‘We need to clean up our streets, and if you vote for me, I’ll be tough on crime.’” said Marist political science student Matthew Wright ‘26. “No matter which side you’re on, it’s a great way to look good.”
Politicians have been stirring the pot and touting this in their campaigns. Florida Gov. Ron Desantis recently signed a bill allowing squatters to be arrested and prosecuted much quicker in Florida. Rep. Adam Morgan of South Carolina filed a bipartisan bill to limit the rights in the state. In Georgia, The Georgia Squatter Reform Act was introduced to reform current laws around squatting in the state.
"We want to send a clear message to squatters, anyone trying to squat, that your days are over in New York," said New York Assemblyman Ron Kim.