A group of alleged squatters took over an elderly couple's home in Colorado Springs, and now the squatters are reportedly gaining access to free legal help to stay in the home they stole.
Alan Chang, founder of Vested Title & Escrow, said the squatter problem nationwide is only escalating due to the availability of information on social media. Some squatters are essentially able to find a step-by-step guide on how to bypass the law and target homeowners with vacant properties.
"This problem is not just a metropolitan one as bad actors are on the lookout across the nation," Chang previously told Newsweek. "Technology and availability of information have made looking for a target much easier than in years past."
William and Arlene Towns, a couple in their 70s living in Colorado Springs, were forced out of their house by who they claim are squatters and are now fighting to return to their home of 50 years.
"Living on a fixed income, William and Arlene cannot afford the extravagant legal costs, while the squatters receive free legal aid," reads a GoFundMe post from the family.
The Towns are also dealing with skyrocketing utilities as the squatters allegedly shower multiple times a day and let water run and keep lights on in the house 24/7, according to the GoFundMe.
"The squatters have taken over their home, using utilities for free, and even set up a mushroom grow operation," the post read. "Their daughters are fighting for them, but without professional legal assistance, the process will take months, and they cannot afford to wait."
According to the family, the alleged squatters took over the home of the elderly couple when William, who suffers from dementia, was alone at the house while Arlene was staying with family after major heart surgery.
They say a homeless woman started speaking with William as he walked his dog and offered to do some household chores. However, this turned into the squatter using the shower and sleeping in the guest room with William under the impression it would only be for a few days.
"She quickly took advantage of our dad and his compromised mental state and now has moved many of her belongings into his home, has moved two non-working automobiles onto his property, has moved her 15-year-old son and a cat into the house, and now a threatening and confrontational homeless man, her boyfriend, has moved in with her on the property," the GoFundMe reads.
According to the family, the boyfriend harassed William and family and friends when asked to leave and has caused many altercations, causing the elderly homeowners to be fearful of their safety and completely move out of their home of 50 years.
"Now that our dad is not sleeping in the home, they have begun a mushroom grow operation in the middle of the living room," the family said. "They spend their days living in the home as if it is their own, rummaging through drawers and cupboards, going through storage items, using all appliances, dishes, tools, food in the refrigerator and pantries, etc."
After spending several days in the home, they gained rights as tenants under the law and now have to be legally evicted.
"This isn't their first rodeo, and they have taken full advantage of the system and know the law is in their favor and seem to live confidently that they will have free housing and utilities for months through this process," the family wrote.
While the Towns and their family members have contacted police for help, reporting illegal plates on the squatters' cars, underage drug use and growing the mushroom farm, it often takes a full 24 hours to get an office to come by, if they come at all, according to the family.
"When they do, they speak to this woman and her boyfriend, and they are not given permission by them to enter the property, so they can't do anything," the GoFundMe said. "It doesn't matter if our parents give them permission as owners and residents of the home. These people have equal permission rights to the property."
While the Towns are struggling to afford an attorney as they live off their Social Security checks, the family said the unlawful now-tenants are able to get free legal services and court fees waived because they are the defendants in the case.
"Everything is served to them on a golden platter, basically giving them step-by-step instructions on how to drag out the process and live for free for as long as possible," the family wrote.
As William continues to suffer from dementia, the extra stress has worsened his ability to remember simple tasks or events.
"Our mom is also fearful and very distraught that she is unable to safely go back to her home, and our entire family is just sick watching strangers live in our childhood home and go through our cherished family memories and items," the family said, adding they feel "helpless."
"Each day that goes by and each new failed attempt to ask for help from law enforcement leaves us feeling less and less trust in the system's ability to keep our community safe. We just don't know what else to do, and just sitting around for months watching while our parents are scared to live in their home is unbearable, unfair, and absolutely unacceptable."
Newsweek was unable to independently verify details of the case.
So far, the family has raised just under $1,000, but the going rate for attorneys in their area is between $400 and $500 an hour, with a $1,800 retainer.
When homeowners find themselves in this situation, they often have to resort to unconventional methods of getting squatters out of their homes or face steep legal fees, since state law often supports illegal tenants over homeowners.
"Because squatting seems to be on the rise, the courts are backed up from months to years, police can't or won't help, property owners feel helpless and are told taking the squatters to court is the only path to getting their property back," Lando Thomas, who owns California squatter removal service Squatter Squad, previously told Newsweek.
"Even the neighbors can be victims because where there's squatters, there's usually bad activities going on such as drug dealing and other crimes."