Distinguishing between collecting and hoarding is crucial, as the consequences for residents and housing providers are dramatically different.
Collecting is a hobby that generally allows individuals to maintain space for daily activities, such as cooking, cleaning, and moving freely around the home. In contrast, hoarding can make these essential routines difficult or unsafe, involving a compulsive need to acquire and keep items regardless of their value, and difficulty discarding them.
Beth Markowski-Roop, Marketing Director with disaster restoration and specialty cleaning services company ServiceMaster by Mason, spoke about the dangers and risks associated with hoarding at the 2025 CONN NAHRO Annual Convention & Exhibition. We followed up with Markowski-Roop, who has led hoarding awareness and cleanup efforts across the Northeast, to discuss in more depth the dangers of hoarding, the risks, the warning signs, and the resources that housing agencies can use to protect residents and properties.
“The biggest misconception is who is hoarding, what they are hoarding, and also that there are no resources out there,” said Markowski-Roop.
Research indicates that between 2% and 6% of people worldwide experience hoarding disorder. Symptoms can appear as early as the teenage years and often worsen with age.
“Someone who has experienced trauma, that’s what their trigger is,” said Markowski-Roop. “They go through life as normal as can be, and then the loss of a loved one is so overwhelming that if they cocoon themselves with all this stuff, nothing will hurt them again.”
While collectors and hoarders both tend to acquire large numbers of items, their motivations and impacts differ greatly.
Collectors usually value each object and often build collections tied to traditions, holidays, or shared experiences with family. These collections are typically organized and do not interfere with daily life.
Hoarding—a complex mental health condition marked by the compulsive need to acquire and keep possessions, even items of little or no value, without being able to discard them—disrupts a person’s ability to live a normal life, interfering with everyday activities, such as cooking, cleaning, entertaining, and even navigating the home safely. Rather than being about appreciation of specific items, hoarding is more about compulsion, often tied to underlying trauma or emotional needs.
“Hoarders are literally living every single day of their life as though it’s the very first day of hearing the news of the loss of that loved one,” Markowski-Roop explained.
Hoarding can progress through various stages, ranging from mild clutter to extremely hazardous living conditions. Recognizing the stage can help housing staff determine the level of risk and appropriate intervention:
Hoarding can also take many forms. Understanding the type of hoarding can help housing staff recognize the risks and tailor their approach accordingly.
“Hoarders are absolutely brilliant at keeping people out and hiding their disorder,” Markowski-Roop noted. “It’s not always who you think. We’ve worked with teachers, healthcare professionals, and even accountants. It’s people who have means and disposable income to feed that disorder.”
Hoarding poses serious risks not only for the hoarder but also for neighbors, staff, property owners, and even first responders, including fire, police, and rescue personnel. Cluttered units can create fire hazards, block exits, and make kitchens or bathrooms unusable. Mold, pests, and foul odors often spread to surrounding units, impacting other residents as well.
“We work with a lot of assisted living facilities, and there are very few that will accept someone who is a hoarder because there are just too many health and safety concerns for other residents,” said Markowski-Roop.
The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) noted that hoarding contributed to 24% of preventable residential fire deaths, even though it only made up 0.25% of incidents.
In addition, everyday activities, such as cooking and heating, become hazardous when personal items crowd ovens, stovetops, or heating equipment.
“First responders right now are being told if the house is on fire, let it burn,” said Markowski-Roop. “Get the homeowner out, but let the house burn. There just aren’t enough firefighters, and the safety risks inside hoarding homes are too great.”
“It’s not what you see on top of the pile that’s the safety concern—it’s what’s underneath: spilled chemicals, mold, harmful bacteria, or blocked exits,” Markowski-Roop emphasized.
Because hoarding is tied to deep emotional struggles, approaching residents with empathy is essential.
“Deadlines and ultimatums do not work,” Markowski-Roop said. “Tough love does not work. It is compassion, always. No judgment is the rule.”
Housing professionals are encouraged to prioritize safety over possessions, establish clear expectations, and remain patient when working with affected residents. Conversations should be framed in nonjudgmental language, acknowledging that things may have gotten overwhelming while emphasizing the importance of a safe living environment.
“Look beyond the photo of the shock and awe of the clutter,” she advised. “Look for what their trigger could be.”
Addressing hoarding in multifamily housing requires a balanced approach that protects the community while supporting the residents.
“The first thing housing authorities should do is build trust and rapport,” Markowski-Roop said. “Look for the trigger. That’s going to help you communicate and create parameters for cleaning that work.”
“It’s not about being the bad guy saying, ‘You have to clean up,’” she added. “It’s about explaining, ‘You agreed to these standards when you signed your contract,’ or ‘The fire department has said this needs to be clear.’ Frame it around safety, not punishment.”
Markowski-Roop also highlighted the importance of local collaboration. “There are resources out there—Massachusetts is the gold standard. Rhode Island has an amazing hoarding task force that’s even creating training for firefighters and first responders,” she said.
Closing the gap between safety and compassion is not easy, but housing providers who approach hoarding with patience and preparedness can protect their communities and support residents. With the right policies, training, and partnerships, it’s possible to reduce risks and create safer living environments for everyone.
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