State Joins Blight Fight

[Novine]

$50 million would go a long way to build up a viable neighborhood. Or keep people in their homes. Instead, Michigan and Detroit take the approach of building the city through demolition.

[royce]

$50 million would go a long way to build up a viable neighborhood. Or keep people in their homes. Instead, Michigan and Detroit take the approach of building the city through demolition.

Novine, you expressed this same sentiment in the Brightmoor thread. Helping people stay in their homes is altruistic. However, how does the state get back the money that it gives to homeowners in trouble? I'm curious as to how this works.

[sumas]

The money actually comes from the feds. If qualified they have to live in their homes another five years and the debt gets forgiven. If they move the debt comes due. Because of infighting with the state, Wayne County and the city, it is rare people qualify.

[aj3647]

The money actually comes from the feds. If qualified they have to live in their homes another five years and the debt gets forgiven. If they move the debt comes due. Because of infighting with the state, Wayne County and the city, it is rare people qualify.

So spend $50 million to get exactly five years of "neighborhood stability." Five years, and then people can jump ship without their mortgage debt hanging over their heads. And I'd imagine quite a few people would jump ship, what with being surrounded by abandoned houses that nobody is doing anything about... By 2018, we'd be back to square one after applying a $50 million band-aid.

[DetroitPlanner]

So spend $50 million to get exactly five years of "neighborhood stability." Five years, and then people can jump ship without their mortgage debt hanging over their heads. And I'd imagine quite a few people would jump ship, what with being surrounded by abandoned houses that nobody is doing anything about... By 2018, we'd be back to square one after applying a $50 million band-aid.

Abandoned homes cause a huge amount of damage besides housing values. Ask any cop or fireman if he would want these addressed from their professional perspective. They will answer "Heck yeah!" Imagine having to live next to one and not knowing that if a firebug or a drug dealer was going to take it over. They rid the areas of crime as the criminals have less places to hide. It is not a 5-year cycle, but a quality of life issue with immediate benefits.

[iheartthed]

Novine, you expressed this same sentiment in the Brightmoor thread. Helping people stay in their homes is altruistic. However, how does the state get back the money that it gives to homeowners in trouble? I'm curious as to how this works.

How much does the state get back for a house they pay to have demolished?