Cleveland Real Estate News

I’ve written about the grant monies recently received by The City of Cleveland to help them in their vacant housing demolition program. Two nights ago I was surfing the Tube and came across a TV20 (local access channel) video with Ed Rybka, our Director of Building and Housing for Cleveland.

What I gleaned was that in 2006 there were 500 homes with violations issued by C of Cleve. By 2008 that list was up to over 1,000.

There is a staff of 50 people working on all demolition and infraction issues. Currently, according to Ed Rybka, there are about 8,000 vacant homes in Cleveland proper.

Recently they took down, at the neighborhood’s request, four vacant homes on E. 73rd Street. He pointed out that it made more sense to do all of them because otherwise how does it help the neighborhood to only do one.

I tried to find a link to the TV20 video but they may not be made public. Here is a re-link to the PD story about the grant money received for the vacant housing issue.  The issue btw is not just a recent phenomenon due to the current foreclosure crisis. Here is a story about a Valley View home that was set for demolition in August.

There is also a Vacant Property Initiatives Fund  detailed on the City website.

Ed Rybka pointed out that the 50 staff people are working on the most serious issues (vacant homes) so he was imploring residents to contact his office if they know of something else that needs to be addressed.  Here is a link to the  Housing Dept. web page so you can contact them. Or call 216-664-2282. 

More links:

NPR on Cleveland’s Mount Pleasant Vacant Home Issues

National Vacant Properties Campaign

RealNEO Post on Vacant Property Solutions

Peace Out – 3C