Grand Rapids Area Grupo de Trabajo de la Acumulación

These great organizations make up the Grand Rapids Area Hoarding Taskforce:

• Adult Protective Services for the State of Michigan                 
• Area Agency on Aging of Western Michigan
• City of Grand Rapids Attorney's Office               
• Bethany Christian Services  
• City of Grand Rapids Code Compliance            
• Building Bridges Professional Services
• City of Grand Rapids Fire Department                
• Grand Valley State University
• City of Grand Rapids Police Department           
• Fair Housing Center of West Michigan
• Kent County Animal Control                    
• Legal Aid of West Michigan
• Kent County Health Department             
• Susie's Organization Solutions LLC                   
• Western Michigan University

About hoarding

Hoarding is a mental disorder where a person is compulsive about collecting items. The owner values items more than usual. Experts have found hoarding behavior links to mental illnesses like:

• Obsessive-compulsive personality disorder (OCD)
• Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADD/ADHD)
• Depression

Signs of hoarding

• Difficult to get around the house
• Unusual valuing of items
• Seeing items as a part of one's identity
• Compulsive and emotional collecting of items

Hazards of hoarding

• Poor health and living conditions
• Unorganized stacked items can fall over causing physical harm to the owner and pets
• Without proper removal of trash and waste ammonia causes health risks
• A multitude of items has an increased fire hazard
• Blocked entrances and exits

Measuring hoarding activity

We measure hoarding using the scale from the Institute for Challenging Disorganization. Find out more about measuring hoarding here.

Grand Rapids Hoarding Problem

2 - 5% of the Grand Rapids population struggles with hoarding. This percentage is increasing. We need early intervention to address the issues before a crisis occurs.

Make us aware of potential hoarders

Sometimes people don't have family or friends to help them. Do you think a neighbor may need help? Reach out to us using the email in the Contact Us section of this page. Include a description of your concerns in your email.

Talking to a Potential Hoarder

We understand it can be hard to know what to say to a person who needs help. Here are some do's and don'ts to talking with potential hoarders.

Do:

• provide your full attention
• focus on the individual's good qualities
• draw out the best in the individual
• recognize and acknowledge incremental progress

Don't:

• be judgmental
• ridicule or criticize the individual
• exaggerate consequences
• belittle their feelings           

Make us Aware of Potential Hoarders 

Sometimes people don't have family or friends to help them. If you think a neighbor may need help, reach out to us using the email in the Contact Us section of this page. Include a description of your concerns in your email.