Demolitions, such a critical component of a blight mitigation strategy, often come with a hefty price tag. Creative approaches are often necessary. Previously we have discussed communities that have utilized the National Guard for their “clean and seal” and demolition services.
A recent article discusses, one community’s unique partnership, resulting in no cost demolitions.
For more information, please click here.
SB 60 addressing the issue of anonymous code enforcement complaints has been signed by Governor DeSantis in Florida on June 29, 2021.
Following is a summary of the bill by the Florida Senate Community Affairs Committee, along with a link to the legislation.
Code enforcement is a function of local government intended to enhance the economy and quality of life of counties and municipalities by protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the community. Local governments designate code inspectors or code enforcement officers to investigate potential code violations, provide notice of violations, and issue citations for noncompliance. However, such officials do not possess police powers.
CS/SB 60 amends the county and municipal code enforcement statutes to prohibit county and municipal code inspectors and code enforcement officers from initiating an investigation into violations of city or county codes or ordinances based upon an anonymous complaint. It also requires that an individual making a complaint of a potential violation provide his or her name and address to the local government body before an investigation may occur.
The prohibition does not apply if the code inspector or code enforcement officer has reason to believe the alleged violation presents an imminent threat to public health, safety, or welfare or imminent destruction of habitat or sensitive resources.
The legislation can be read in full here.
A recent article discusses Michigan City’s (Indiana) challenge in permit requirement enforcement.
“A crackdown on building permits could end up backfiring, the City Council was told”
For more the full report from nwitimes.com, please click here.
A lawsuit over whether municipalities have the authority to inspect rental homes without criminal cause is being waged in Orange City.
Three residents and two landlords in the town of about 6,200 are suing the city government and code enforcement officer Kurt Frederes over a new city policy they allege violates their Fourth Amendment and Iowa Constitutional rights.
For more information, please click on the following link for a report from nwestiowa.com, please click here.
In its most recent report on housing, the GAO analysis of the National Mortgage Database showed mortgage forbearance and other Federal efforts have reduced default and foreclosure risks.
For more information, please click here.
Why GAO did this study
Millions of mortgage borrowers continue to experience financial challenges and potential housing instability during the COVID-19 pandemic. To address these concerns, Congress, federal agencies, and the enterprises provided borrowers with options to temporarily suspend their mortgage payments and placed a moratorium on foreclosures. Both provisions begin to expire in the coming months.
The CARES Act includes a provision for GAO to monitor federal efforts related to COVID-19. This report examines (1) the extent to which mortgage forbearance may have contributed to housing stability during the pandemic, (2) federal efforts to promote awareness of forbearance among delinquent borrowers, and (3) federal efforts to limit mortgage default and foreclosure risks after federal mortgage forbearance and foreclosure protections expire.
GAO analyzed data on mortgage performance and the characteristics of borrowers who used forbearance from January 2020 to February 2021 using the National Mortgage Database (a federally managed, generalizable sample of single-family mortgages). GAO also reviewed data from Black Knight and the Mortgage Bankers Association on foreclosures and forbearance repayment. In addition, GAO interviewed representatives of federal entities about efforts to communicate with borrowers and limit default and foreclosure risks. To highlight potential risks, GAO also analyzed current trends in home equity among delinquent borrowers relative to the 2007–2009 financial crisis.
A recent study by Youngstown State University Williamson College of Business demonstrates a solid ROI. $21 million utilized to demolish abandoned homes, rehabilitate others and spruce up abandoned lots across Mahoning County (Ohio) returned $33.2 million in economic benefits over a 10-year period.
For access to the Land Bank’s press release, the study along with related media coverage, please click here.