What are the conditions of the housing structures in your city/county?  Are they New?  Are they older but well-maintained?  Do some need substantial repairs?  These questions are answered through a housing conditions survey preformed by the RPC.  The RPC provides technical assistance to conduct visual surveys of housing structures and map the results.  This tool helps communities identify areas of potential concern for rehabilitation or demolition.  It can also be used to show where growth and development is occurring.

The process is involves conducting a windshield survey using criteria to rate the homes. A scale of 1 to 5 is used, and is broken down as follows:

1. Housing units rated as a "1" are relatively brand new, showing no needed repairs.

2. Housing units rated as a "2" are well maintained older homes, or somewhat newer homes that require minor repairs such as painting, or new shingles (work usually costs less than $5,000).

3. Housing units rated as a "3" are in need of substantial repairs, usually requiring a new roof, signs of poor wiring, structural sagging or cracking, older windows usually without storm windows or storm doors (work usually costs between $5,000 and $15,000).

4. Housing units rated as a "4" are occupied, but in very poor condition; costs to repair would probably be beyond the value of the unit; these structures should be removed and tenants relocated.

5. Housing units rated as a "5" are unoccupied and in the same condition as a "4"; these structures should be removed.

last updated January, 2006