Breaking the Cycle of Foreclosure and Abandonment
Since the start of the current term in January 2006, Cleveland City Council has focused on the foreclosure crisis and the resulting presence of vacant and abandoned properties in the City of Cleveland. The effort to improve the quality of life for Cleveland residents by reducing the negative social and economic impacts of these properties, such as decreased safety, lower property values and the overall decay of neighborhoods, is being undertaken as the Breaking the Cycle of Abandonment Initiative.
The scope of the crisis is bigger than any one governing body or private entity. The only way to effectively tackle the problems associated with the presence of vacant and abandoned properties is to work in collaboration with both the private and public sector. In examining ways to alleviate this issue, Cleveland City Council is working collaboratively with several outside partners, including the City of Cleveland, Cuyahoga County and Cleveland’s non-profit community.
Cleveland City Council efforts to Break the Cycle of Abandonment include a four step, holistic approach, addressing Detection, Prevention, Maintenance and Blight Elimination, and Redevelopment. Each and every Cleveland neighborhood is affected by the problem of vacant and abandoned properties. Cleveland City Council is committed to working toward a solution that addresses the needs of the residents of these neighborhoods and makes Cleveland a place people choose to live, work, learn and play.
Council's efforts in the News
Click here for press releases on Council's current and past efforts to Break the Cycle of Foreclosure and Abandonment.
Mortgage Assistance Initiative
As a result of research and the summer 2009 series of hearings on Breaking the Cycle of Foreclosure & Abandonment, Cleveland City Council has identified the need for additional foreclosure prevention and mortgage assistance outreach efforts in the City of Cleveland. The Mortgage Assistance Initiative, focused on getting information on mortgage assistance and foreclosure prevention resources to Cleveland residents, is moving to fill this void with the hope of stemming the wave of foreclosure. Click here for the informative literature being distributed by Council.
2009 Summer Hearings on Breaking the Cycle
The Council’s Community & Economic Development Committee held a series of meetings during the 2009 summer recess that addressed the four steps to Breaking the Cycle: (1) Detection; (2) Prevention; (3) Maintenance & Blight Elimination; and (4) Redevelopment.
The first meeting of the three part series was held on Tuesday, July 7, 2009 and focused on Prevention and Detection. NEO-CANDO, the Cuyahoga County 211 Program; the Cleveland Housing Network; the East Side Organizing Partnership (ESOP); Legal Aid; Neighborhood Housing Services (NHS); the City of Cleveland Department of Consumer Protection; and the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas participated in the hearing.
The second meeting was held on Tuesday, July 14, 2009 and focused on Redevelopment and Re-visioning. Cuyahoga County Treasurer Jim Rokakis, City of Cleveland Community Development Director Daryl Rush, the City Community Development Department Real Estate Division, Cleveland Neighborhood Development Coalition (CNDC) Director Colleen Gilson, and Neighborhood Progress Inc. (NPI) participated in the hearing.
The third meeting was held on Tuesday, July 21, 2007 and focused on Maintenance & Blight Elimination. The City of Cleveland Building & Housing Director Edward Rybka and Assistant Director Ronald O'Leary participated in the hearing.
The fourth meeting was held on Tuesday, July 28, 2009 and focused again on Redevelopment and Re-visioning. The City of Cleveland Real Estate Division, the Cuyahoga County Treasurer’s Office, the County Auditor’s Office, the County Prosecutor’s Office and the County Sheriff’s Office participated in the hearing.
Neighborhood Stabilization Program
| Cleveland City Council took another significant step toward Breaking the Cycle of Abandonment February 4, 2009, by passing legislation that addresses how $25 million in funds from the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) are to be used. The Council, in collaboration with the Jackson Administration, developed a multi-faceted approach to tackling vacancy and abandonment in the City of Cleveland. |
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The Executive Summary of Ordinance 55-09 can be found here.
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| The “Operation Prevent” strategy can be found here. |
Presidential Campaigns participated in Council’s Foreclosure Forum
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Cleveland City Council hosted the Fighting Foreclosure and Abandonment Forum: A part of the Breaking the Cycle of Abandonment Initiative in February 2008. The Forum, held in Cleveland City Council Chambers, served as a platform for local activists from within government as well as the public and private sector to present testimony to the top presidential campaigns that highlighted their efforts and specified what action is needed from Washington to effectively fight foreclosure and abandonment.
Former Bill Clinton Administration Cabinet Member Fred Hochberg represented the Clinton Campaign and the Obama campaign was represented by their National Policy Advisor Mark Alexander at the Forum.
To watch the Fighting Foreclosure and Abandonment Forum: A part of the Breaking the Cycle of Abandonment Initiative, click here.
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Fighting Foreclosure Forum and Abandonement Documentation
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About the Forum
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Keynote Speakers
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Panel One
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Panel Two
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Panel 3
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Panel 4 & Supplements
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