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Blight Abatement and
Re-Development Program
Need & Impact
AHEAD, Inc. is a tax-exempt 501(c) (3)
regional rural Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO). Its
primary mission is to address affordable and accessible housing issues
relevant to moderate income persons and our communities. To that end,
AHEAD, Inc. has developed a program for the voluntary acquisition /
demolition / redevelopment of vacant, dilapidated housing structures in
our communities.
The need for this program is based upon
the fact that many communities are unable to address vacant, dilapidated
housing issues due to financial and personnel constraints. AHEAD, Inc.
is now creating a partnership with the Area 15 RPC and our rural
communities by establishing the Blight Abatement and Redevelopment
Program. The establishment of this Program provides the technical
assistance, experience, expertise and financial assistance to help our
communities address their vacant, dilapidated housing problems on a
continuous basis.
Partnerships:
Area 15 RPC – AHEAD, Inc. is an
affiliate organization of the Area 15 RPC; the RPC staff provides
administrative oversight of the various programs and services of AHEAD,
Inc. Additionally, the Area 15 RPC has assisted in the capitalization of
this Blight Abatement & Redevelopment Program.
Communities – Through the Blight Abatement and Redevelopment Program, our
local communities become integral stakeholders in the process (see flow
chart). Through this partnership, we anticipate an more efficient and
effective removal of blighted properties, accelerate new housing
construction, and recapitalization of the program funds. As a result of
the strong partnership with our communities, AHEAD, Inc. will be able to
work with more communities on an annual basis.
Explanation of Flow Chart
1. City:
Identify property; must be a vacant, dilapidated housing unit
2. City:
Gathers information;
A) County Assessor’s “card” which
includes legal description of
property, property
owner & address, illustration of lot & structures on lot.
B) # of new housing starts
in the community over the past 3 years or # of tax
abatement applications
for new housing construction.
C) Other housing initiatives
in community such as CDBG housing rehab.,
Nuisance abatement
activities
3. City:
Contacts AHEAD, Inc. and provides the information collected (see Item 2)
AHEAD: Reviews
information, conducts windshield survey of the site, & determines
project viability based on consideration
of the following factors: Population trends in the community;
Condition of surrounding/adjacent/neighborhood properties;
liens/encumbrances against property; Review of City’s community & housing
needs assessment; Median housing values; development incentives &
development potentials; Information from realtors (past/current sales,
availability of similar properties); Review of community amenities –
medical facilities, schools, community services, infrastructure.
4. AHEAD: Either
accepts the project partnership with the City or declines.
5. If AHEAD/City proceed with
project
AHEAD: Makes
acquisition offer to owner
6. If owners accepts offer
AHEAD: Proceeds
with voluntary acquisition activities
CITY: Passes
resolution to pay AHEAD, Inc. 50% of asbestos abatement/demolition
costs with a not to exceed cap of $5,000
and that the City will maintain the
property (mowing/weed control) once
redevelopment activities are complete.
7. AHEAD: Completes
acquisition, lets demolition & asbestos abatement contracts. Blight
removal activities begin.
CITY: Remits
50% of demolition/asbestos abatement costs to AHEAD, Inc.
8. AHEAD: Demolition &
site redevelopment activities complete. AHEAD lists lot for sale.
Upon sale of
lot, funds reinvested in program.
CITY: Upon
sale of lot, City will recognize new housing construction within 1 year.
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