Abandoned Homes Helping the Poor?

The abandoned homes in areas like Detroit and Stockton are hurting neighborhoods - badly.
But they're helping some poor, remarkably enough.

There is a bright spot for some of these abandoned houses.

Many of these homes, usually foreclosures, find transients have moved in, steal power, tear apart walls for copper plumbing, and set fires to make drugs or heat the home. Police are struggling in many neighborhoods to keep this under control (Source: Yahoo Real Estate). There is a consistent problem with crimes and thefts on foreclosed homes. In the past, these thieves would steal from the outside of the home; now they steal from inside, too - with little repercussion. Even the local humane society shelters are over capacity with pets left behind.

However, there is a bright side here - finally.

Some charities are buying the homes, like Habitat for Humanity, fixing up the abandoned properties, and taking advantage of the low priced homes - basically shells by the time they're robbed and stripped of valuable wiring and plumbing. But, charities are now starting to get these shells for rock bottom prices, use volunteer labor, and turn them into housing for the poor.

Dani