the most organised shanty town on earth (http://deputy-dog.com/2008/02/08/the-most-organised-shanty-town-on-earth/)
welcome to dignity village, inc.
pre-2001, the residents of dignity village in portland, oregon, were part of a mobile 'tent city' founded by 8 local homeless people desperate to find some kind of semi-permanent shelter. in 2001, following much campaigning and media support, portland city council agreed to allow the camp legal campground status on the basis that they move to an area called sunderland yard, thus securing dignity village's short-term future. since then the 60 or so residents have impressively created their own self-regulating mini-city with help from the surrounding community.
Interesting these folks have found a way to bypass the building inspectors. More power to them.