A Step Toward Community Revitalization
Cleveland’s Residents First legislation is a groundbreaking policy designed to prioritize local communities in the city’s ongoing revitalization efforts. By tackling issues like housing shortages, vacant properties, and speculative ownership, this legislation seeks to ensure that Cleveland’s residents—not absentee investors—benefit most from development and redevelopment initiatives. This article explores the goals, key components, and potential impacts of the Residents First legislation, while highlighting the role of property security solutions, like those provided by DAWGS, in supporting this effort.
What Is Cleveland’s Residents First Legislation?
The Residents First legislation is a local policy aimed at giving Cleveland residents greater access to housing and opportunities in their own neighborhoods. It targets several challenges, including:
- Vacant and abandoned properties: Encouraging productive use of unused spaces.
- Speculative ownership: Discouraging investors from buying up properties and leaving them unused.
- Community displacement: Preventing long-term residents from being pushed out due to rising property values or rent.
By focusing on local needs, this legislation seeks to restore vibrant, sustainable communities throughout Cleveland.
Key Features of Residents First
- Prioritizing Local Buyers:
The legislation gives Cleveland residents priority access to purchase vacant or foreclosed properties. This ensures that housing stays in the hands of locals rather than being snapped up by out-of-state investors or speculators. - Incentivizing Productive Use:
Property owners who leave homes or lots vacant for extended periods may face fines or higher taxes, similar to vacancy taxes in other cities. The goal is to encourage owners to either develop or sell properties, contributing to neighborhood revitalization. - Affordable Housing Protections:
The legislation ties property redevelopment projects to affordable housing requirements, ensuring that new housing units remain accessible to low- and middle-income families. - Support for First-Time Homebuyers:
Financial assistance programs are being developed to help first-time homebuyers, particularly Cleveland residents, afford properties in revitalizing neighborhoods.
Registration and Accountability: Non-Owner-Occupied Residential Units
An integral part of the Residents First legislation is § 365.02 Non-Owner-Occupied Residential Unit Registration, which sets clear standards for managing non-owner-occupied residential properties in Cleveland. This ordinance aims to enhance rental property standards and tenant protection through proper registration and accountability.
Key Provisions of § 365.02:
- Registration Requirement:
- Owners must register each non-owner-occupied residential unit with the city and obtain a Certificate of Non-Owner-Occupied Residential Unit Registration.
- Before renting, owners must also obtain a Certificate Approving Rental Occupancy.
- Annual Registration Information:
- Registration must be renewed annually by March 1 of each calendar year.
- Owners must provide details such as owner and local agent information and, if applicable, proof of good standing for non-individual owners.
- Certificate Details:
- Certificates include property address, owner and agent contacts, and lead-safe certification status.
- Certificates confirm registration but do not guarantee compliance with all safety or habitability standards.
- Rental Occupancy Certification:
- Owners must apply for certification before renting out units.
- Requirements include:
- HVAC inspection and active utility accounts.
- Compliance with lead-safe standards.
- Resolution of code violations.
- No outstanding tax or fee delinquencies.
- Revocation and Penalties:
- Certificates may be revoked for false statements or non-compliance.
- Owners must report any changes to the city within seven days.
- Fines for revoked certificates can reach up to $30,000 annually per owner.
- Evaluation Report:
- A third-party evaluation of the ordinance’s implementation and impact is required within two years of its passage.
Approval Date: The ordinance was approved on February 5, 2024, and became effective on February 6, 2024.
By establishing clear registration and accountability measures, this ordinance enhances tenant protection, improves property management, and supports Cleveland’s broader housing goals.
Why Cleveland Needed This Legislation
Cleveland has long struggled with many vacant properties and housing affordability challenges. Key issues include:
- Urban Blight: Vacant homes attract vandalism, squatting, and crime, which harm community safety and lower property values.
- Speculative Ownership: Investors buying properties and leaving them unused contribute to housing shortages and drive-up costs.
- Community Displacement: Gentrification in some areas has forced long-term residents to relocate due to rising rents or property taxes.
The Residents First legislation addresses these challenges by putting local needs at the forefront of Cleveland’s housing and development policies.
The Role of Property Security in Revitalization
As Cleveland implements Residents First, property security becomes essential in managing vacant homes and lots. Securing these properties protects urban renewal efforts and also supports the goals of the legislation by maintaining the value and safety of neighborhoods. DAWGS Vacant Property Security provides critical solutions for property owners, including:
- Steel Door and Window Guards: Durable barriers to secure vacant homes.
- Code Compliance: The security solutions adhere to local property ordinances, ensuring properties are always up to code
- Aesthetic Appeal: Our solutions maintain the site’s visual appeal while providing top-notch security.
- Cost-Effectiveness: Our long-lasting guards reduce the need for frequent replacements, saving you money in the long run.
- Custom Security Solutions: Tailored to the needs of property owners navigating vacancy taxes and reinvesting in the community.
By ensuring that vacant properties remain safe and secure, DAWGS helps property owners comply with Cleveland’s legislation and protect their investments.
Potential Impacts of Residents First Legislation
- Revitalized Communities:
Encouraging local ownership and productive use of vacant properties could lead to more vibrant, thriving neighborhoods across Cleveland. - Improved Rental Standards:
Through measures like the Non-Owner-Occupied Residential Unit Registration ordinance, Cleveland is improving the quality and safety of rental housing. - Reduced Housing Shortages:
Prioritizing residents over speculative investors ensures more housing becomes available for those who need it most. - Increased Property Values:
Securing and redeveloping vacant properties can boost surrounding property values, benefiting long-term residents. - Challenges for Implementation:
Like similar policies in other cities, Cleveland may face challenges in enforcing the legislation, such as identifying speculative owners and managing financial assistance programs for local buyers.
A Blueprint for Equitable Housing
Cleveland’s Residents First legislation represents a significant step toward creating a more equitable and community-focused housing market. By addressing key issues like vacant properties, speculative ownership, and housing affordability, this policy prioritizes the city’s residents and their neighborhoods.
For property owners navigating this new landscape, ensuring vacant properties are secure and compliant is critical. DAWGS’ vacant property security solutions provide the tools needed to protect investments and support Cleveland’s revitalization efforts.
As Residents First takes root, Cleveland offers a model for other cities looking to balance redevelopment with community preservation, ensuring that growth benefits everyone.
