[Ginger]

Fey - A yard sale is a good suggestion. Taking it slow is the best approach. Let him know that you'd be willing to help him clean it, and as Kali has done, put anything that you think might have personal meaning to him in a safe place. Letting him know you aren't about to throw away something that might be very dear to him is the first step to gaining his trust. Start with the trash, move on to the things that look like they can be put in a yard sale and let him observe through the stuff to see if there is anything he would like to keep that he'd have use for in the near future, and organizing the things he would like to keep. Then you would need to do a thorough inspection and cleaning of the house, like checking for any infestations of bugs or rodents, and sterilizing all surfaces. I would suggest telling him that a specific room in the house would be his job, like Kali's family had her uncle do.

Good luck!