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For more information contact:
Cleveland City Council
Katherine Samsa, Communications Director
(216) 857-7362 |
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| Council to pass resolution for a foreclosure moratorium |
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Cleveland City Council will take another step toward Breaking the Cycle of Foreclosure and Abandonment at tonight’s Council meeting by passing a resolution initiated by Council President Martin J. Sweeney and Council Members Sabra Pierce Scott, Ward 8; Anthony Brancatelli, Ward 12; and Jay Westbrook, Ward 18. The resolution urges the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Please to initiate an emergency moratorium to stay all active and newly filled foreclosures cases involving occupied residences. The resolution also urges the Court to continue to work with Cleveland City Council and community organizations to implement a comprehensive program that strengthens distressed neighborhoods and to fast track the foreclosure process for abandoned residential properties.
Council Members Nina Turner, Ward 1; Kenneth L. Johnson, Ward 4; Mamie J.Mitchell, Ward 6; Kevin Conwell, Ward 9; Roosevelt Coats, Ward 10; Michael D.Polensek, Ward 11; Joe Cimperman, Ward 13; Joe Santiago, Ward 14; Kevin J. Kelley, Ward 16; Matt Zone, Ward 17; Dona Brady, Ward 19; and Martin J. Keane, Ward 21 signed on to the resolution by early afternoon.
Vacant and abandoned properties affect the safety and stability of neighborhoods, the City’s tax base and property values. The Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas has been commended for its work on the foreclosure crisis and has recommended a systematic process under its jurisdiction of achieve equitable work-outs and to mitigate and reduce the number of homeowners losing their homes to foreclosure. Council believes that a moratorium on foreclosures of occupied residences will give the Court time to implement this new systematic process and to put additional foreclosure prevention outreach measures in place.
The resolution cites two recent studies that show the harmful impact of foreclosure upon neighborhoods and the success of Cuyahoga County’s 211 counseling program. A study by Case Western Reserve University’s NEO CANDO demonstrates a 70% loss of market value in foreclosed residential properties; and a recent Cleveland State University study shows 2,251 homeowners rescued by counseling, which represents a 52% success rate. Council understands that keeping people in homes is critical to retaining value in Cleveland neighborhoods.
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. The Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas is a strong ally in the battle against foreclosure and abandonment.
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. |
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Cleveland City Council
601 Lakeside Avenue
Room 220
Cleveland, OH 44114
(216) 664-2840
(216) 664-3837 fax
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