"In recent years, municipalities have encountered troubled housing cases often involving individuals who are elderly or disabled," according to a release from the department. "Many of these cases involve compulsive hoarders who collect items including newspapers, pets, garbage and other items."

In response to this trend, the city created the Collaborative for Residential Integrity for the Disabled and Elderly in 2004. The group is made up of community agencies that meet monthly to discuss issues facing these populations.

Health Director Dr. Dennis A. McBride said at a meeting last month that hoarding issues are increasing in the city and need to be taken seriously.

"We're getting more and more cases with this issue," he said. "Now we're getting classic kind of hoarding where a person can't get into the house."

Speakers at the event include geriatric psychiatrist Dr. Harry Morgan and Probate Judge Beverly Streit-Kefalas.

The event is from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at Platt on Orange Avenue. Also, state legislators will be taking part in a question-and-answer session at 1:15 p.m.

"When we find people in need of help, we want to be able to provide the assistance they need," said McBride. "The goal of this symposium is to give communities the tools they need to work with this often isolated population."