Issue Position: Abandoned Housing and Foreclosures

Issue Position

Abandoned Housing and Foreclosures

Take action equal to the impact of the problem

Recognize that abandoned and foreclosed homes have far-reaching consequences that choke the life and economic viability out of our neighborhoods in multiple ways as:

Boarded-up, weed-infested eyesores that sink property values of nearby homes;

Revenue drains that cause $83.5 million in lost property taxes annually;

Havens for criminals where they can use drugs, plot crimes and evade police;

Targets for arsonists and vandals to set fires, draw graffiti and steal scrap metal;

Structurally unstable safety hazards and garbage dumps that attract rodents and bugs;

A problem that only gets worse: the longer a vacant house sits, the more it deteriorates.

Accomplishment: Blight Elimination Program

Working with the Lt. Governor, we were able to establish a $75 million statewide blight elimination program to help our communities tear down abandoned properties that are beyond repair. Communities must present a plan for use of the property following demolition. There are protections in place to help prevent historic homes from being torn down. Indianapolis was awarded nearly $6.4 million for removing blighted properties. These homes will begin to be torn down during 2015.

Accomplishment: Streamlined process to get homes back in market

Working with a bipartisan group of legislators, we set out to streamline the tax sale process. SB 422 allows the purchase of an abandoned home to be final at the time of the sale. This will eliminate the waiting period, when homes are often vandalized and stripped of copper. The bill also requires foreign companies to register a local agent with the Secretary of State's office before purchasing homes at a tax sale. Under the new law, the Attorney General will establish a Negligent Property Owner Statewide Database so counties can better communicate and prevent bad actors from buying properties at tax and surplus sales.

Accomplishment: Cleaning up vacant properties

We expanded "The Good Samaritan Law" that previously allowed neighbors to mow the grass of an abandoned property without fear of being sued or charged with trespassing to include painting over graffiti.

Accomplishment: Keeping squatters out of abandoned homes

One complaint from law enforcement was that it was often difficult to prove someone was trespassing in an abandoned home where there is no clear owner. We created a new tool where law enforcement can have a judge declare a home abandoned and bar anyone from entering to help hold bad actors accountable.

Make combatting vacant housing a top government priority

Consolidate any fragmented government services handling vacant housing into one central office to increase efficiency and build capacity to get things done for citizens much more quickly

Recognize that demolishing vacant homes is only one option; equally embrace renovating homes in adequate shape to create jobs, redevelop neighborhoods and restore the tax base

Target/expand private investment marketing to qualified local buyers by upgrading Indy's vacant housing website to include photos of all city-held properties on a map with price tags

Strengthen the city's ability to enforce abandoned/foreclosed housing maintenance and penalize delinquent/negligent owners in cases where the owners of vacant homes are known

Accomplishment: Landlord Accountability

Last year, the General Assembly passed a law that I believe negatively affected our city's ability to regulate rental properties. I voted against this change and worked with community leaders and local officials to find a potential solution moving forward. This year, we were able to restore the ability of Indianapolis to establish a landlord registry and permit process. This year, our city councilors passed an ordinance that will improve our city's ability to track negligent and out-of-state landlords.

Use vacant housing as an opportunity for neighborhood redevelopment

Build neighborhood control into the system where citizens owning nearby homes have input about which houses to demolish, which to rehabilitate and how to use vacant lots (e.g., community gardens, playgrounds, parks)

Create and market low-interest loan and tax incentives that help families, neighborhood groups and associations, nonprofits, and owners of adjacent homes purchase abandoned and foreclosed properties to demolish or rehabilitate

Establish tax incentives to help disabled veterans and encourage public servants such as police, firefighters and teachers buy renovated homes in our neighborhoods

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