HOARDINGHOARDINGTackling the Broader IssuesTackling the Broader IssuesThe Task Force Approach to Service The Task Force Approach to Service

DeliveryDelivery

Hoarding DefinedHoarding Defined

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

Hoarding: The ProblemHoarding: The Problem

Contributing factorsContributing factors Economic conditions Economic conditions Aging populationAging population Stressful life eventsStressful life events Brain TraumaBrain Trauma A history of alcohol abuseA history of alcohol abuse

Can occur anywhere: Can occur anywhere: Urban AreasUrban Areas SuburbsSuburbs Rural areasRural areas Rental or owner occupiedRental or owner occupied

Who Fits the Profile?Who Fits the Profile?

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

What Do People Hoard?What Do People Hoard? Trash and material Trash and material

of minor to no of minor to no valuevalue

NewspapersNewspapers Old clothingOld clothing AnimalsAnimals FoodFood TiresTires Equipment and Equipment and

auto partsauto parts WEAPONSWEAPONS

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 OthersImpact on Others Health Hazard:Health Hazard:

Rodents and insectsRodents and insects OdorsOdors

Fire and Structural Risks:Fire and Structural Risks: Greater risk for public Greater risk for public

safety personnelsafety personnel Fire loading Fire loading Risk of structural failureRisk of structural failure

Property values may be at Property values may be at riskrisk

Good neighbor policy Good neighbor policy erodeserodes

Complaints escalate Complaints escalate

Hoarding StatisticsHoarding Statistics Compulsive Hoarding is reported to affect approximately Compulsive Hoarding is reported to affect approximately

3 million Americans across the United States.3 million Americans across the United States.

Up to a quarter million animals–250,000 per year–are Up to a quarter million animals–250,000 per year–are victims of hoarding. victims of hoarding.

46% people who hoard material are, or have been in 46% people who hoard material are, or have been in therapytherapy

74% Felt therapy helped understand & change cluttering 74% Felt therapy helped understand & change cluttering behavior. behavior.

The first reported hoarding task force in the United The first reported hoarding task force in the United States was created in Fairfax County in 1989. 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.

hoardingtaskforce@alexandriava.gov

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 Alexandria Task Force MissionMission

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

ResourcesResources Fire Marshals and Fire Fire Marshals and Fire

InspectorsInspectors Building Official and Building Official and

Building InspectorsBuilding Inspectors Maintenance Code Official Maintenance Code Official

and Inspectorsand Inspectors Rebuilding Together Rebuilding Together

AlexandriaAlexandria FamilyFamily FriendsFriends Department of Human Department of Human

Services Services Adult Protective ServicesAdult Protective Services Mental Health ProfessionalsMental Health Professionals Child Protective ServicesChild Protective Services

Animal Control Animal Control OfficersOfficers

Fire and Emergency Fire and Emergency Medical Service Medical Service providersproviders

Building ManagementBuilding Management Commonwealth and Commonwealth and

City AttorneyCity Attorney Hoarding Task ForceHoarding Task Force Charity OrganizationsCharity Organizations Sheriff Sheriff Police Police

hoardingtaskforce@alexandriava.gov

DiscussionDiscussion

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 youThank you