At the end of March DH & I took in his nephew and nephew's GF - they were living in a car. We are in the Mid-Atlantic US, so winters in a car are no joke. They were told the conditions of living in the house were full time employment or school/work, no drugs in the house, their share of utilities, and saving money so they could move out. So this is what has happened...
1) Nephew gets SSI of $659.70 a month for ADHD. This was arranged by grandmother (she raised him) who is also on disability (she is a con artist, drug addict, user, etc.). He is lazy and didn't graduate HS, he's 20. He's not diabled IMO. He has worked a week at 2 jobs since March, and has no intention of working. When DH told him he needs to get a job soon or leave, he said to give him notice so he can move back into his car. We have let it ride because...
2) GF has anxiety and depression issues. She had lost health insurance a couple years ago, couldn't afford meds, lost job, lost housing, lost car. She got on Medicaid August 1st and got help, has been a different person. Got job in August. Still working.
3) Have found out recently that they have no money saved, she is supposed to be saving for a car (nephew has a car, car and insurance in grandmother's name, he pays). He charges her a fee to drive her various places, like work (5 min. away) or the store. He makes her pay utilities. They argue constantly. There have been physical fights. She has left and come back half a dozen times. They were eating everything, and when told to chip in repeatedly finally started eating out exclusively because eating at the house was "too much drama". Nephew also is getting food from grandmother, who has a long-term bedbug infestation, and I am afraid of infesting my house.
4) Other occupants of house are my son and his fiancee. He works full time and she goes to school full time and works part time. They save $200 a week combined. They also pay 1/3 utilities and no rent. No drama at all.
We wanted to help these people get back on their feet and it obviously is a failure. We have considered charging rent, which will probably just make them leave, or GF will be stuck with bill - yes she's an adult (24) and should dump his sorry ass. This is causing friction between me and DH at times (we are very low key and no drama and I don't like this). I feel used. We have done without basics (lived in sub 50 degree house for 2 winters) and are trying to improve ourselves and I can't believe living in a car hasn't woken these people up. Is there any hope or should we just boot their butts out?