A gang that controls much of Carrefour, on the southern edge of Port-au-Prince, is now forcing residents to pay a yearly fee simply to live in the commune, whether they own or rent their homes, the news site HaitiLibre reported.

The gang, known as Ti Bwa and led by Christ-Roi Chéry, alias Kris la, is part of the Viv Ansanm coalition. HaitiLibre says the amount is set according to how a house and its yard look from the outside.

Extortion is one of the main sources of income for Haiti's gangs. The UN human rights chief has said that extortion, looting and destruction of property are damaging the economy and keeping people from schools, hospitals and basic services.

Carrefour is also home to a state reception center for vulnerable children whose workers recently received months of back pay. The commune lies in the West department, which is under a state of emergency until December 18.