Blight Can Cost You, DAWGS Fights Blight

Anti-Blight Ordinances and Programs

Blight, characterized by neglected and deteriorating properties, poses significant challenges to urban areas across the United States. To combat this issue, many cities have developed targeted programs and ordinances that address blighted properties, promote rehabilitation, and encourage responsible ownership. These efforts not only enhance neighborhood aesthetics but also boost property values, reduce crime, and foster community pride. Below are examples of how different cities are tackling blight through enforcement, incentives, and collaborative initiatives.

Detroit Cracks Down on Blight with Blight Violation Tickets

Blight Violation Tickets in Detroit are a critical tool the city uses to enforce property maintenance standards and address the pervasive blight issue. 

What Are Blight Violation Tickets?

The City of Detroit issues blight violation tickets to property owners whose properties fail to meet the city’s maintenance and zoning standards. These tickets can be issued for various violations inside and outside the property. They are part of the city’s broader strategy to combat urban blight and encourage property owners to take responsibility for their properties.

When city inspectors, police officers, or other officials identify code violations, they issue Blight Tickets. These tickets motivate owners to maintain their properties and contribute to the city’s renewal efforts.

Conyers Implements Blight Ordinance with Tax Penalties

In Conyers, Georgia, blighted properties are identified through a thorough inspection process. Properties that fail to meet city standards are subject to increased taxation.

What Is This Blight Ordinance About?
The ordinance enables the city to inspect properties suspected of being blighted by resident request or as part of a citywide survey. If a property is determined to be blighted, the owner receives written notice detailing the violations. The ordinance allows owners to appeal the designation, but once it is confirmed, the property becomes subject to increased taxes.

This ordinance penalizes owners of neglected properties and incentivizes remediation. Owners who take corrective action can petition to have the blight designation lifted and receive a reduction in property taxes, encouraging property maintenance and urban renewal across the state.

Milford’s Anti-Blight Ordinance Targets Neglected Properties

Since 2009, Milford, Connecticut, has been actively enforcing its Anti-Blight Ordinance to address properties that fall into disrepair and affect the overall community.

What Is Milford’s Anti-Blight Program?
The Milford Health Department oversees the city’s Anti-Blight Ordinance, with the Anti-Blight Enforcement Officer responsible for determining whether a property is in a blighted condition. A property is considered blighted if it meets one or more of the ten conditions outlined in the ordinance, which include disrepair, dilapidation, or neglect.

Residents play an active role in combating blight by submitting formal complaints about properties they believe are in violation. This collaborative effort between the city and its community ensures that property owners are held accountable for maintaining their properties, contributing to Milford’s ongoing beautification and neighborhood improvement initiatives.

Baltimore’s Vacants to Value Booster Program

The Vacants to Value Booster program is a key initiative in Baltimore’s effort to reduce urban blight by incentivizing the purchase and rehabilitation of vacant properties. This program focuses on properties that have been subject to a vacant building notice for at least one year before undergoing rehabilitation by a developer or being sold to a homebuyer committed to renovation.

Program Benefit
The main advantage of this program is that it reduces the upfront costs required to purchase a home, making it more accessible for homebuyers looking to revitalize Baltimore’s neighborhoods.

Eligibility & Limitations
To qualify for the program, homebuyers must meet the following criteria:

• Obtain a homeownership counseling certificate before making an offer.
• Use the property as their primary residence.
• Contribute at least $1,000 of personal funds toward the purchase.
• Ensure the mortgage does not exceed the FHA limit of $667,000 for a single-family home.
• Apply and receive approval before closing; funds cannot be applied retroactively.

While first-time homebuyers are not subject to income restrictions or requirements, the program is limited to those using fixed-rate mortgages. Co-signers, cash sales, and owner-financing are not allowed. This initiative provides a pathway for individuals to invest in Baltimore’s growth and recovery, turning neglected properties into vibrant homes.

Philadelphia’s Community Life Improvement Program (CLIP)

The Community Life Improvement Program (CLIP) is a key initiative in Philadelphia aimed at improving the quality of life for its residents. Through a series of city-wide efforts, CLIP partners with community members to create cleaner, more vibrant neighborhoods.

Program Activities
As part of its mission, CLIP undertakes several activities to help maintain a cleaner city:

• Graffiti Removal: CLIP removes graffiti from buildings, street signs, and other public fixtures, contributing to the beautification of city spaces.
• Enforcement of Property Maintenance: The program ensures that vacant lots and areas across the city adhere to Philadelphia’s cleanliness regulations.
• Neighborhood Cleanup Support: CLIP lends supplies and coordinates trash pickup for community-organized cleanups, fostering neighborhood engagement.
• Community Service Opportunities: The program also offers adult non-violent offenders the opportunity to serve their community by participating in city beautification efforts.

Collaborative Approach
CLIP partners with residents, businesses, community groups, and other city agencies to ensure a collaborative approach to improving neighborhood environments. Residents can report properties that are not being maintained or request graffiti removal services through Philly311.

New Orleans’ Fight Against Blight with the Code Enforcement Process

New Orleans uses a detailed process to tackle blighted properties. Here’s how it works:

• Complaint & Case Creation
  Residents report blight via 311, or inspectors proactively check properties. If no active case exists, Code Enforcement creates one in the LAMA system for tracking.
• Inspection & Notice
  Inspectors document violations, and owners receive a hearing notice within 30-45 days. Notices are sent via certified mail and published in the Times-Picayune.
• Hearing & Judgment
  Owners present evidence of repairs or work in progress. If the property remains non-compliant, the city issues fines, liens, or foreclosures.
• Post-Judgment Actions
  The city can clear lots, foreclose through a sheriff’s sale, or demolish unsafe buildings, transferring blighted properties to responsible new owners.

This process helps restore neighborhoods and bring properties back into compliance.

The Importance of Anti-Blight Efforts 

Blight profoundly impacts neighborhoods, property values, and community safety and well-being. Maintaining properties and addressing blight is crucial to the broader effort of revitalizing distressed communities. By understanding the common issues, the process for managing blight, and the strategies for overcoming compliance challenges, you can help ensure that the properties under your care contribute positively to the city’s renewal.

Addressing blight is important for several reasons:

1. Impact on Neighborhoods: Blight can have a negative impact on the overall appearance and well-being of neighborhoods, affecting the quality of life for residents.
2. Property Values: Blight can lead to decreased property values, making it harder for homeowners to sell their properties and potentially leading to financial losses
3. Community Safety: Vacant and blighted properties can attract criminal activity, posing a threat to community safety.
4. Revitalization Efforts: Addressing blight is essential for the revitalization of distressed communities, as it helps create a more attractive and desirable living environment.
5. City Renewal: By addressing blight, properties can positively contribute to the overall renewal and improvement of the city, benefiting all residents.

How DAWGS Can Help Manage Blight Challenges

Navigating the complexities of blight requires a comprehensive approach to property security and compliance. DAWGS offers a New Program for Court-Appointed Property Receiverships to support receivers in managing distressed properties.

DAWGS’ Role in Supporting Receivers

• Enhanced Security: DAWGS provides robust steel door and window guards ideal for securing vacant properties. These guards significantly reduce the risk of vandalism, squatting, and unauthorized entry and are easy to install and remove, making them a practical solution for properties in transition.
• Compliance Assistance: By securing properties with DAWGS’ guards, receivers can better comply with city ordinances regarding property security and maintenance, reducing the likelihood of receiving Blight Violation Tickets.
• Streamlined Property Management: DAWGS’ program offers tailored solutions for receivers, including quick response times and customized security options. This ensures that properties are protected and meet all regulatory requirements promptly.

Proactive Anti-Blight Solutions

Blight can severely impact neighborhoods, property values, and community safety, but cities across the U.S. are taking action through anti-blight ordinances and innovative programs. These initiatives help enforce property maintenance, incentivize rehabilitation, and promote urban renewal. DAWGS offers vital support with enhanced security solutions for receivers and property managers facing the challenges of distressed properties. DAWGS plays a key role in revitalizing communities and assisting in the fight against blight by securing vacant properties and ensuring compliance with city regulations.