Tragically, many of the nation’s homeless are too young to even pull themselves out – almost one-third of the reported homeless population were families with children or unaccompanied youth, and often families must split up to be accommodated in shelters.

Unfortunately, homelessness is not equal-opportunity – although the black population made up about 12 percent of the U.S. population in 2005, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, an estimated 42 percent of the surveyed cities’ homeless in 2006 were black.

The demand for emergency shelter is increasing so rapidly that cities don’t have the resources to house everyone, and more people get turned away from these shelters every year.

But such injustices don’t have to exist. The U.S. could get thousands of individuals and families into safer, more stable living situations if the country would only allow them to legally inhabit deserted buildings – that is, to legally squat.

Although some may believe it’s unfair to allow certain people to live rent-free in a house, apartment or building, it’s far more ethically irresponsible to allow those buildings to deteriorate while fellow humans deteriorate in unstable and often unsafe living conditions – even when individuals find space in a shelter, they likely still face hunger, discrimination and abuse, both mental and physical.

Squatting has been recognized and somewhat tolerated in much of Western Europe. For example, in England and Wales squatters can legally inhabit an empty building as long as they don’t damage the property, and the process to kick a squatter out of an abandoned building is long and cumbersome.

In Spain, Barcelona is well known as a haven for squatters, with more than 30 operating squats. The squat communities have roots in deeper political movements, and many members live in the “okupas,” or Spanish squats, to push for a more free, anarchist society.

France’s artistic subculture has transformed the squatter lifestyle into an art movement – groups transform derelict buildings into live-in studios, covering the walls with paintings and murals inside and out. They turn urban eyesores into beautiful artist cooperatives, and many use the studio space to host exhibitions, live plays and musical performances. While the legality of their living situation is precarious, the squats give many people homes, incomes (from selling artwork) and a community of support and understanding.

The Netherlands is perhaps the most squatter-friendly country of all – a building can be legally squatted if it is not in use for 12 months and the owner has no impending use for it. Squatters typically notify the building’s owner and the police of their occupation, and the police inspect the building to make sure it’s livable – which means, legally, it must have some furniture. One squat in Rotterdam, which was squatted in protest to the lack of affordable housing in the city, became legalized when the residents agreed to start paying rent to the city council.

While many of the U.S.‘s homeless suffer from mental illness or substance abuse and deserve proper medical care, many, many more suffer only from ill luck and a lack of resources. Allowing squats gives the homeless a place to live safely, and the squatters will likely improve the quality of the building. If nothing else, they can’t destroy a building too much if it’s already abandoned and unwanted. In the end, every person should be able to feel safe and warm at night.

Liz Kersjes is the State News opinion writer. Reach her at kersjese@msu.edu.