Not a stranger. I have heard horror stories from people opening their doors to people they really didn't know. They were hard to remove when they outstayed their welcome.
Once I offered to help a neighbor find a place through social services. The couple were unfortunately alcoholics (we had ambulances stop at the house on the regular) and I had two children to care for. She was squatting in our alley between two detached garages telling me that she was kicked out and just pulling weeds. It broke my heart but again, I had to protect my family.
Listen to your gut. If it doesn't feel right, don't do it. There's always another answer.
Yeah, that's the horror stories I've heard before. Fucked up laws we have.