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Job losses, foreclosures leave vacant homes throughout cities like Akron, damaging spirit and value of neighborhoods
By Rick Armon
Beacon Journal staff writer
Published on Sunday, Nov 16, 2008
Ron Perry feels surrounded.
Across the street from his home, there are two vacant houses — both with overgrown lawns. Behind him, there's another one. And just around the corner sits yet another abandoned home, this one with plywood covering the porch.
For Perry, who has lived in Akron's Goodyear Heights neighborhood for nearly 50 years, it's a depressing and unsettling sight.
He and his neighbors still take pride in their properties. And they bemoan the increasing number of vacant eyesores that not only have become targets for drug dealers and other criminals, but also have damaged the psyche of the community itself.
''This is ridiculous, really,'' the 77-year-old retired truck driver said, gesturing to the homes. ''This neighborhood has gone to pot.''
Recognizing the adverse impact on neighborhoods and the financial drain on communities, Summit County leaders are creating the Abandoned and Vacant Property Task Force. The group will try to figure out how many vacant properties there are in the county and identify policies that could help reduce the number.
Job losses and foreclosures have escalated the vacancy problem nationwide, especially in urban communities like Akron and Barberton. For every 1,000 people in Ohio, more than six properties were put up for sheriff's sale last year, according to a study by the Policy Matters Ohio in Columbus.
Those properties not only are an annoyance from an aesthetic point of view, but they also are a magnet for criminals, dumping
and vandalism.
''Even in some of your nicer areas, if you get one or two vacant houses, it can be detrimental to the health of a neighborhood,'' Barberton Mayor Bob Genet said. ''It can tear down a neighborhood real quick.''
Financial impact
A study released this year estimated that more than 25,000 vacant and abandoned properties in Cleveland, Columbus, Dayton, Ironton, Lima, Springfield, Toledo and Zanesville cost those communities at least $63 million in services and tax revenue in 2006.
The study was commissioned by ReBuild Ohio, a coalition of local government, nonprofit and civic organizations.
One of the biggest hurdles is just identifying the number of vacant properties to understand the scope of the problem, said Gene Krebs, co-director of Greater Ohio, a coalition member and smart growth group in Columbus.
Akron officials have estimated, based on water shut-offs, that there could be up to 7,000 vacant properties in the city. Meanwhile, the estimate in Barberton ranges from 200 to 600.
Krebs said the good news for Akron is that it has not been hit as hard as other regions of the state.
''You're actually punching above your weight and you're doing things better than other communities,'' said Krebs, a former state lawmaker.
Don't tell that to people living next door to a vacant home, though.
Barberton resident Tom Bednarik isn't a big fan of the cottage-style house next door to him.
The vacant, bank-owned property on Robinson Avenue in Barberton was foreclosed upon this year. And, as Bednarik notes, it just sits there as an eyesore inviting trouble.
He's already had to chase away kids smoking and drinking under the porch. And don't get him started about the lawn.
He hopes someone buys it and moves in soon.
''I figure it's going to take the value of this property down if they don't do something,'' the 59-year-old Bednarik said. ''Something like that in the neighborhood seems to be catching after awhile. Other neighbors seem to let their property go as time goes by.''
Perry, who goes by the nickname ''the Mayor of Brandon Street,'' agreed.
He said he keeps tabs on the vacant homes in his neighborhood, alerting police to potential problems.
But it's annoying to look outside his front window and see the overgrown grass at the two vacant houses across the street.
Asked what should be done, Perry shrugged and pushed up his baseball cap.
''I don't know,'' he said.
Maybe the government needs to buy the properties, tearing down the unsalvageable ones, and repairing and reselling the others, he said.
Local program
The county is on the verge of doing just that.
Last week, county leaders unveiled a program designed to stabilize neighborhoods by buying foreclosed and abandoned houses.
Summit County will use $3.7 million in federal grants from the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 to fund the effort.
The county will rehab and resell the properties, or raze them and save the land for future development.
Akron, which is slated to receive $8.5 million, is not included in the county program.
County leaders identified 25 neighborhoods with the most need. Fifteen are in Barberton. Six are in Springfield Township. The others are in Copley Township, Lakemore, Twinsburg Township and Norton.
The program will move forward at the same time the county task force is studying the problem.
Best practices
County Councilman Cazzell Smith, who proposed the task force, said the group will look at successful programs elsewhere to see whether they can be replicated here.
''We are looking for solutions,'' Smith said. ''The abandoned and vacant properties are just skyrocketing.''
The task force, which will include a mix of at least 15 public and private-sector officials, is expected to study the issue for six months and then release a report with recommendations.
Jennifer Leonard, director of the National Vacant Properties Campaign in Washington, D.C., praised the county effort.
''We'd like more people to be thinking about it at the county level,'' Leonard said. ''It's not just what happens in Akron. It's creeping out into the suburbs as well.''
The campaign was launched five years ago to identify positive programs throughout the country and share them with other communities. The Rust Belt has been dealing with the vacancy problem for years, but it is now moving into stronger markets thanks to the increase in foreclosures, Leonard said.
One of the most popular initiatives involves land banking and tax foreclosure reform in Genesee County, Mich., she said. There, the local government does exactly what Perry suggests.
The Genesee County Land Bank Authority is able to buy foreclosed properties and determine the best use for the land — whether it's razing the structure, rehabbing it and reselling it, or holding onto it for development.
Leonard also cited programs involving strict code enforcement.
''Stopping properties from becoming vacant in the first place is becoming critically important,'' she said.
Rick Armon can be reached at 330-996-3569 or rarmon@thebeaconjournal.com.
Get the full article here.
Comments
Click here to post your comments
Posted 02:50 AM, 11/16/2008
The Community Reinvestment Act at work. Thanks Bill Clinton. Thanks for giving sub-primes to derelicts that don't deserve it.
Posted 02:53 AM, 11/16/2008
The best guy in Goodyear equals the worst guy in my neighborhood. This can only benefit the community. Kick 'em out!
Posted 03:24 AM, 11/16/2008
It all happend under Bush. Go figure.
akron, oh
Posted 03:58 AM, 11/16/2008
Ever see the movie Roger and Me???
With all the empty houses in Detroit? Yes it can happen. All it took bush was 8 years.
akron, oh
Posted 07:02 AM, 11/16/2008
Gaston is right. It was Clinton that made it possible for anyone that could fog a mirror to get a mortgage. And then everyone acts surprised when they cannot pay the loan and simply don't. Home ownership should not be subject to the feel good pc crowd known as Democrats.
akron, oh
Posted 07:21 AM, 11/16/2008
BTW - i wish they could find a way to just knock down the homes and sell the land to the homeowners next door. I would buy the parcel next to me in a minute and just keep it for a bigger yard.
My Heart Is In K-Town, .
Posted 08:16 AM, 11/16/2008
Well, some think its Bush, while others think its Clinton...instead, why not work on a solution?
Posted 08:53 AM, 11/16/2008
BRAVO, PAUL. That is an example of clear smart thinking. We need to fix things and stop blaming. I can tell you first-hand as a mortgage broker...you can still get shady deals today. Very little has changed...
Posted 09:09 AM, 11/16/2008
lETS SEE?
LBJ privatizes Fanny May. Our hero Jimmy Carter tells fanny Mae to give out more unsecured loans. Then Bill Clinton pressures Fanny Mae to aquire even more unsecured.
Then congress and Senators like Barney Franks (Dem)sleep with Fanny mae employees and we get instant ghetto after all the loans collapse.
Looks like the democrates have already made Change in America
Posted 09:22 AM, 11/16/2008
Why dont we find the legal owner of the houses and fine them heavily for not keeping up the unsold home? SOMEBODY has to own the houses. The city wants to buy them, right? Who are they buying them from?
Quit blaming Bush, quit blaming Clinton. Lets use a novel idea here, how about PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY.
akron, oh
Posted 09:32 AM, 11/16/2008
In order to fix any problem - you have to understand where it originated. In the case of the mortage mess - it started with Democratic initiatves to allow poor people to buy homes with no money down and without even meeting the basic credit criteria. So finding the source of the problem is indeed part of finding the solution.
Akron, Oh
Posted 09:53 AM, 11/16/2008
This has been happening in the urban areas forever. SLUM LORDS let properties go all the time. It is only an issue now that it affects other areas.
akron, oh
Posted 10:17 AM, 11/16/2008
Hey William... Can you still get an 80 yr old woman a 30 year mortgage?
Posted 10:44 AM, 11/16/2008
Hey Jacki ... you are an idiot! SLUM LORDS are the problem??????? LMAO! One reason there are so many foreclosures is because landlords have been driven out of business (not because they are "SLUM LORDS") ... decreased rents, increased oversight by the Health Department, increase in taxes, insurance and permits, no access to credit etc. etc. etc. Landlords are a constant target by the bureacracy of Akron and guess what? ... it's created a ton of foreclosures and more are coming. It's people like you and the bureacrats in Akon that think owner occupied buyers are going to come in and buy vacant houses and live happily ever after! LOL! I hope Akron contionues to deteriorate ... what do I care, I don't live in Akron ... you are getting what you asked for.
Posted 10:58 AM, 11/16/2008
One reason for all the foreclosures in the area is due to landlords being run out of business ... decreased rents, increase in taxes, insurance and permits, increased oversite by the Health Department, no access to credit etc. etc. etc.
For years now, the bureacrats of Akron have increasingly targeted landlords ... almost EVERY landlord I know has thrown in the towel and is letting the houses go into foreclosure ... landlords just can't take the constant attack from the city, crappy tenants and increased expenses and regulation.
Now, the city can get what they have dreamed of ... less landlords ... only one problem: the vacancies aren't going to be filled with happy-well-to-do owner occupied buyers like the city thought ...instead, the houses are going to sit empty. Sorry Akron ... landlords generate a huge amount money for Akron and provide jobs for alot of people ... you should've thought of this before.
Posted 11:03 AM, 11/16/2008
Why do you guys keep deleting my comments defending landlords?????????????????????
Posted 12:59 PM, 11/16/2008
Just how bad can a persons finances be to get these shacks repoed, or do they just not care maybe. I mean by looking at these dumps, it looks like even a person on Mcdonalds wages could afford them.
Stow, OH
Posted 01:28 PM, 11/16/2008
As a landlord in Akron ,I can tell you first hand what is killing Akron , high crime ,high taxes,bad schools,no jobs.
When people can't even feel secure about going to an ATM machine at 6:00 pm to go shopping sooner or later they will find away to move out of the city .If I could sell my rental in Akron I would ,but know one wants to move to Akron anymore.Summit Co. and Donofrio thinks raising your property taxes will keep values up ,problem is the house values have fallen 20% or more so more people will be foreclosed on for lack of equity to tap into on their homes to stay afloat during hard times .Akron should take a hard look at Youngstown because that is where they are heading .
Posted 01:32 PM, 11/16/2008
we are in trouble and the city can't bail folks out, but they send letters to folks threatening to mow there lawn and charge them.why not do that with the bank owned homes.bottom line if banks are going to own hundreds of empty houses they need to hire landscapers.why should banks be treated better then us????????
Port Saint Lucie, Fl
Posted 04:57 PM, 11/16/2008
Face it.Akron is an old industrial north town with no industry.Time for "gentrification".Akron needs middle and upper income people to purchase properties in these neighborhoods to renovate and rehabilitate,therby revitalizing the neighborhood. This is an over simplification but it has been done in other communities around the country.
Kp
Port Saint Lucie,Fl.
Posted 06:58 PM, 11/16/2008
No thanks Kenneth. Us middle and upper income people didn't get to be middle and upper class income by making bad investments LOL.
Posted 07:57 PM, 11/16/2008
Goodyear Heights is beautiful. All the huge trees around here. Many gifts of beauty to see each day. But the empty houses are all around me also. And then the renters. I have a new family next to me. They run a Towing business out of the house. So I get to hear a diesel truck go in and out all day and night on towing calls. Rattles my windows and shakes my floors. I thought no business were to be conducted from residential areas?? I used to have a guy near me run a business of car repair/oil/tire replacement. I heard an air compresser all day.
East High is closed.
I'd say DO NOY BUY IN AKRON. Find an area will people work. Its hard for me to sleep in this area due to all the noise.
Akron, Oh
Posted 07:57 PM, 11/16/2008
God is love.
akron, oh
Posted 08:59 PM, 11/16/2008
Yep all the ones complaining about no jobs being in akron. I would bet. Are the ones that used to complain about the stink the rubber shops made in their day.
I asked my grandad what is that smell when we would go into akron... He said it was the smell of money. He also used to say when that smell is gone so will all the jobs for the working class man.
Along with the heart of akron...
Posted 09:33 PM, 11/16/2008
"BTW - i wish they could find a way to just knock down the homes and sell the land to the homeowners next door. I would buy the parcel next to me in a minute and just keep it for a bigger yard."
My thoughts exactly.
Posted 12:37 AM, 11/17/2008
I remember when Akron smelled like rubber and I also remember when the rubber shops closed and moved to China. Akron has never recovered and from the looks of things, neither has Cleveland! I returned home to Akron a few years ago, and the place looked like slum! Boarded up houses and vacate properties were everywhere and still no jobs! I have so many memories of Akron, I sure hope it can rally once again.
Posted 12:52 AM, 11/17/2008
What happened to the municipal code?
Go after the homeowner if they don't comply tear it down, game over.
The County is using this as a guise to take our tax dollars and use them to make a profit. I say tear them down.
Posted 03:36 AM, 11/17/2008
If Clinton caused it then why did'nt Bush stop it, he had eight years. What a joke.
WADSWORTH, OH
Posted 05:30 AM, 11/17/2008
The real solution gets stuck in the old addages of 'its the republicans/democrats fault'-childish and un-educated of course-now is the time to bury all the OLD style Govt.and work on real solutions together.the days are gone of-'Johnny stole my pencil-or the dog ate my homework'
Akron (west), OH
Posted 10:10 AM, 11/19/2008
I think the most alarming thing in this story is that the county is getting into the rehab business. I can only imagine how many shady deals are going to be cooked up...money wasted...corners cut...and the red tape..!
Akron, OH
Posted 07:50 AM, 04/14/2009
It's unfortunate that this is happening in Akron.
I am a 34 year old guy that remembers being a kid and smelling the Rubber downtown.
But I'm seeing the Mayor and Summit County trying to fix it.
There's areas of Akron that I've never seen look better. We have needed to move out the problems and clean out the worst parts of Akron.
I'm seeing bad elements move out of North Akron and making it a better place again.
But, It's not just Akron that has this problem with propertys.
I'm seeing it in stuck up Cuyahoga Falls as well.
http://www.asset-protection.articlesmymoney.com
