How does Cassel's mother's home reflect the identity of their family in the novel, White Cat?

Cassel's is staying at his mom's old house with Granddad, helping to clear the place out ready for his mom's release from prison. The house is a clutter of old memories and bit and pieces from their past. Most of it was stolen or conned out of people. This represents Cassel's family's main identity. They are a family of grifters and criminals, but they do not necessarily have a sense of who they are beyond this.