'We're all just a missed paycheck away': Empathetic social worker finds a squatter living in their crawlspace, they shock the neighborhood by helping the homeless person get back on their feet

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Jesse Kessenheimer • Writer and Editor
Sep 24, 2024 1:00 PM EDT

Empaths are built different. Empathetic people see a bird with a broken wing on the sidewalk and they risk avian flu, skin scabies, or a peck to the eyeball to scoop it up and save it. They see a living thing in need, desperate for their assistance, and they don't hesitate to take action. Like the social worker in this next story who shocked the neighborhood when she went out of her way to help a downtrodden fellow human being who was not only trespassing but invading her home. 

For most of us, finding out that there's a person living in our crawlspace under our home is an unsettling thought. In a lot of states in the US, just the idea of another person camping out on your land is enough to earn a vicious reminder about the 14th Amendment's property rights. But this woman not only found a squatter on her premises but living–rather, camping–underneath her house, and instead of freaking out and being reactive, she showed that we could all do better to help out our fellow humans. As all empaths would, this woman didn't retaliate with violence or fear, but she responded in kindness, helping the person get back on their feet instead of shooing them away. 

Read on for the heartwarming story of human empathy that can remind us all that we're all just humans living on this rock in space together–what do we have to lose by being kind? 

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  • 01
    Someone's been living under my house
    via springchikun
  • 02
    springchikun OP We used to keep the big garbage bins in front of it and recently began keeping them in a different part of the yard (further back, away from view). I noticed after sweeping cobwebs that the area was suspiciously cobweb free. I also realized that we never put the lock on when we moved the bins. So I basically just got curious because of no webs and looked.
    via springchikun
  • 03
    Joshfumanchu that is really sad. springchikun OP It very much is. Which is why I gave them resources and a little cash as well as a little time to get their things. I'm not without empathy, I just can't have humans living under my home. The judge was very clear.
    via Joshfumanchu
  • 04
    64CarClan Hey, so being serious here. You met and talked to the person? Do you mind sharing a bit of the conversation? You caught my attention when you wrote about empathy, and time to get their things. You are a kind person
    via 64CarClan
  • 05
    springchikun OP I believe I know specifically which person this is. I haven't met or spoken with them, and I've spoken with and met most of the houseless folks who walk by when I'm on the porch. We have a dope pear tree and the pears are heaven. Often they'll be trying to
    via springchikun
  • 06
    get a pear and I'll bust out the long clippers and step ladder for them. Anyways, this lady is the only one who avoids me. Having said that, she is talking loudly to herself most of the time, so unless she actually has control over that, it's probably not her.
    via springchikun
  • 07
    maxisnoops Dude just the notion that she needs to control her tendency to speak loudly to herself so she doesn't get busted camping out under your house....
    via maxisnoops
  • 08
    springchikun OP Very sad. And another reason I won't involve police. Things don't need to be made worse for this person. I can't offer them a place to live under my house (or in it), and I don't have a lot of money, but what I can do is give what I have, provide resources that will hopefully provide what I can't, and not make things worse for them, while still setting boundaries.
    via springchikun
  • 09
    buzzothefuzzo I've been there!! I squatted under a house that was under construction and unoccupied for about 13 months. Wasn't too bad. Was at least dry and about 15° warmer than outside temps. Now I have to crawl into crawlspaces daily for a living and think about that every time. I hope this person finds a better way to have a roof over their head soon!
    via buzzothefuzzo
  • 10
    springchikun OP I gave them a list of resources and a few dollars as well as some time to gather their things. I haven't been there exactly, but we're all just a missed paycheck away.
    via springchikun
  • 11
    bennitori This is exactly what I was hoping. Most people don't choose to live like this. And making life harder for them isn't going to help anyone. Thank you for being such a kind and understanding soul.
    via bennitori
  • 12
    evandemic These days I see these stories and just wonder about the desperation it takes to hide in holes under the ground like an animal. Pray for us all.
    via evandemic
  • 13
    springchikun OP We need kindness. People like this need help, and kind people receiving the request for help. It's far more complicated than that, I know. But that's the contribution I can make.
    via springchikun
  • 14
    I also worked in Health and Human services, which is why I have STACKS of resource lists just sitting here. I sort of thought about how cool it was that the universe decided (or whatever you believe) to "bring us together". Definitely picked the right house. So that's neat.
    via springchikun
  • 15
    DWMoose83 Helpers have to help! Ugh, I've been kind of cynical in my position lately; but you've helped me gain more resolve in helping those less fortunate. Bless you, again!
    via DWMoose83
  • 16
    henbanehoney. This happened to me, too. Nice to hear about more people giving folks time to pack up and out vs calling the cops
    via henbanehoney
  • 17
    springchikun OP We need kindness. People like this need help, and kind people receiving the request for help. It's far more complicated than that, know. But that's the contribution I can make.
    via Canva

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wholesome social worker thread wholesome stories heartwarming neighborhood creepy homeowner squatter homeless crawlspace story empathy property Reddit unhoused
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