'Zombie' Homes by Jim Redden January 4, 2018 Mayor Says Cost, Complexity Force Other Solutions but Might Consider More Reforms to Program Pushed by Predecessor
The Portland Tribune Wheeler Pauses Hales Campaign to Foreclose on 'Zombie' Homes By Jim Redden January 4, 2018 Mayor says cost, complexity force other solutions but might consider more reforms to program pushed by predecessor. Portland used the threat of foreclosure to force scofflaw landlords to take responsibility for 10 derelict properties over the past 18 months. But the City Council did not approve any others for foreclosure in all of 2017, despite pledging to routinely review potential new ones. The reversal happened after former Mayor Charlie Hales — who pushed the council to crack down harder on "zombie" homes — left office. His successor, Mayor Ted Wheeler, doesn't consider foreclosures a high priority. "The obstacles for government to take away someone's property are formidable," says Wheeler, who took office last January. "It's a very expensive, multiyear process. I'm not sure that's the best use of our resources." The change essentially leaves the enforcement system where it was before the council approved Hales' June 2016 reforms aimed at cracking down on zombie homes, which often sit empty and are a blight on neighborhoods. The Bureau of Development Services, which inspects and cites substandard properties for code violations, maintains a list of hundreds of the worst properties in the city. When BDS cannot convince landlords to pay their fines and fix them up, it can refer them to the City Auditor's Office, which tries again. When the auditor runs out of options, properties can be referred to the council to be approved for foreclosure. If the council agrees, the property is sent to the city treasurer, who schedules a foreclosure auction.
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