Squatter's Rights in Florida -- Community Service or Scam?

Florida, as is often the case, is yet again ahead of an interesting real estate phenomenon. Increasing numbers of people are staking claim to abandoned properties and 'renting' them out to folks who might otherwise be homeless. Citing the laws of adverse possession -- more commonly known as squatter's rights -- the 'landlords' hope to eventually own the properties outright by having paid taxes and maintained the properties for a proscribed amount of time. And, they say, in the meantime, they are providing an altruistic service to the community by providing shelter to the needy.

Enterprising and altruistic? Scam artists? Read the article in today's New York Times and decide for yourself.