I enjoyed writing that headline! At our meeting on Feb. 12, 2009, Mike Badik, Toledo Housing Commissioner, explained how the Neighborhood Stabilization Program will affect Toledo and our neighborhood in particular.
Without going into a lot of detail (and there is a lot of detail in this federal program), Toledo is receiving $12.2 million to invest in housing in "tipping point" neighborhoods. The Highland Heights and Burroughs School areas are considered tipping points--stable, middle-class/working class areas in threat of serious deterioration. These South Toledo areas are second on the list of the four most critical areas for investment.
Monies will be used primarily to purchase and rehab vacant homes in concert with private developers. These will then be sold to applicants who must meet several criteria that will ensure that they will be responsible homeowners. The idea behind all of this money and effort is to strategically focus effort on a block that can be saved from deterioration by the addition of a stable homeowner in a solid home. The thinking is that this stable, well-kept home will then inspire and encourage more of the same, thereby preventing the neighborhood from "tipping" into slum.
HHNA will begin gathering the addresses of vacant homes that might be purchased via this program. If you have a suggestion, post it here on this blog, or email it to highland43609@gmail.com. --Written by Carol Scheiber, Member
In the meeting, Badik emphasized that the vacant homes must already be in foreclosure. Other programs are available to help homeowners who want to repair their property. As to dealing with owner/occupants who neglect their property, Highland Heights still recommends reporting this to 419-936-2020, Call City Hall. Mary Chwiatkowski at the Highland Heights Library can assist.
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