Many New York residents have found themselves in dire financial straits as of late due to the weak economy and sour job market. Indeed, whether they are unemployed or the victim of a medical malady, many are struggling through no fault of their own to meet their financial obligations. Recently, some protestors have decided to take matters into their own hands.

Beginning last month, a number of people affiliated with the Occupy Wall Street protest started to occupy foreclosed homes. One such home in East New York had been foreclosed upon three years ago and is currently owned by Citibank. The protestors moved into the home and have sought to make it livable again.

That has benefited one woman who many might identify with having been the victims of circumstances beyond their control. The mother of two recently lost her housing voucher, through a housing assistance program, due to the latest round of budget cuts, making it more difficult for her to put a roof over the heads of her family. To make matters worse, her landlord stopped paying his mortgage and skipped town. The house went into foreclosure, and until the night of December 6, she and her two children were homeless.

Now the family is staying in the same house occupied by the protestors. While it may not certainly be an ideal situation, many Americans who are unemployed have found themselves having to make the most of an almost impossible situation. In some cases where the person is facing tremendous debt, it may be possible to file for bankruptcy. Through bankruptcy, one may be able to not only restructure their debt obligations under the protection of a court but even prevent foreclosure.

Source: The L Magazine News, "Protesters Occupied Foreclosed Homes in East New York" Eugene Reznik, Dec 07, 2011