Homeless reportedly being trained to squat in properties

A New York homeless advocacy group allegedly has been training homeless people how to squat in empty city properties.

A board member with the nonprofit group, Picture the Homeless, is being accused of teaching at least 20 homeless people about “homesteading” and occupying a vacant property permanently.

Squatting has been increasing in recent years as more than three million U.S. homes have slipped into default, AOL Real Estate News reports. The practice has seemingly gained momentum from the Occupy Wall Street protests, in which protesters used squatting to protest foreclosures.

A Texas man also brought more attention to squatting, when he blogged about his success in squatting in a $340,000 home for more than eight months. He was recently ordered to leave the property by a judge.