During the First Liberian Civil War 1989–1997 and the Second Liberian Civil War 1999–2003, many people in Liberia were displaced and some ended up squatting in Monrovia. The government charged the squatters a US$20 annual fee to give squatters rights. This was allegedly based on the 1957 Zoning Code and although it gave no real legal right, it did give de facto tenure. The Grand Masonic Temple of the Masonic Order of Liberia was occupied by 8,000 squatters. The Ducor Hotel fell into disrepair and was squatted. The inhabitants were evicted in 2007. As of 2014, there were 27 squatted areas in Monrovia.
