The Blight of Vacant Foreclosed Houses

The blight of foreclosed houses on neighbourhoods can be serious. Officials estimate that there are 7,000 such units in Akron. Barberton has 200 to 600 derelict houses. Experts say that Akron is relatively better off in numbers than other parts. Gene Krebs a former lawmaker of the state said, “You’re actually punching above your weight and you’re doing things better than other communities.” But those people who live bang next door to vacant houses are not much impressed with this sort of statement.

Ted Bednarik is a resident of Barberton. Next to his house is a cottage type of house on Robinson Avenue that had been repossessed by the bank. Bednarik observes that it just sits there yawning and empty attracting trouble and unnerving families living in homes near it. For him it has been a regular battle chasing away teens, smoking and carousing on the porch with drinks. The overgrown lawns make him shudder as the wild moves on towards his own house. He just hopes and prays that a new buyer soon moves in. Bednarik was worried that it would be bringing down the value of the houses around him and foreclosures will become something infectious. Others too are giving up their houses as days roll on.

Perry is known as the “Mayor of Brandon Street” makes note of the empty units in his locality and warns the police of potential dangers. But that does not lessen the annoyance of seeing two vacant houses from his window being taken over by the jungle. He does not have a solution to the problem and shrugs his shoulders. He suggested perhaps the government should step in and purchase the units, pull down those beyond repair and resell the others.

The county is about to implement these measures to stabilize the region. Summit County will be utilizing $3.7 million of federal grants coming from Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 to finance these measures.

The 25 neighbourhoods most in need of help are Barberton (15 units), Springfield (6 units) and few others in Copley, Lakemore, Twinsburg and Norton. Cazzell Smith, county councilman said that they would be scrutinizing similar measures being enforced elsewhere so that these could be repeated here. Smith added, “We are looking for solutions. The abandoned and vacant properties are just skyrocketing.”

A task force consisting of a cocktail of public and private officials will study the problem for six months before submitting a report with recommendations.