FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions:

What is hoarding?

Hoarding behaviors are characterized by the following:

• The acquisition of and/or failure to discard a large number of possessions that appear to be useless or of limited value

• Living spaces that can’t be used for the intended purpose due to clutter

• Significant distress or impairment in functioning caused by the hoarding

What are some possible hoarding behaviors?

• Blocked entries and exits due to the accumulation of large number of belongings (doors/windows)

• Narrow or limited pathways in the home due to accumulation of materials

• Large piles of combustible materials such as newspapers, magazines, used food containers and rubbish

• Excessive collection and storage of items in the residence, yard, vehicle that interferes with the intended use of that space

• Foul odors emanating from the home

• Excessive amount of companion animals

• Vermin and/or insect infestations

• Spoiled and/or rotting food

• Accumulated human and/or animal waste

• Non-working or inaccessible utilities, such as heat, running water, sewer, refrigeration

Who participates in our community?

• Protective Service Workers

• Animal Control Officials

• Senior Service Providers

• Code Enforcement Officials

• Vector Control

• Health and Mental Health Professionals

• Fire Department Representatives

• Housing Representatives

• Professional Organizers & Cleaning Companies

• Consumers

• Family Members

What are our core values?

• Respect the Individual

• People who hoard are experiencing multiple issues which require the assistance of others to manage and recover

• Reasons for the behavior can be difficult to identify, may be varied, and multidimensional

• Each individual who hoards requires a compassionate, individualized assessment and services

• People who hoard deserve courtesy and respect

• Multifaceted Challenge

• Hoarding requires an individual and community response

• Service providers should be aware of the variety of community responders and work as a team in addressing issues of hoarding

• Service providers should be knowledgeable of the unusual characteristics of people who hoard and methods to effect positive change

• Involuntary interventions should only occur as result of severe health and safety and issues

• Health clinicians should always be with client during or immediately following involuntary interventions

When and where do we meet?

We meet from 11:30am on the third Thursday of every month (except December). The location is virtual.