Empty homes pose a danger in storms

By Pat Hatfield
BEACON STAFF WRITER

posted Jun 17, 2009 - 9:12:18am

Empty, foreclosed homes pose a threat in hurricane season. Storm damage can turn them into neighborhood nuisances, and the often-unkempt structures can even cause storm damage to other homes nearby.

Former owners who couldn’t make their mortgage payments couldn’t afford upkeep, either. Now, these homes sit untended, with no one to repair loose shutters and shingles, or secure the homes when storms approach.

Volusia Emergency Management Director Charlie Craig said there’s cause for concern.

Abandoned swing sets and patio furniture might be left on the property. Sheds might not be tied down, or may have rusted roofs. Loose boards or limbs from overgrown trees could become missiles borne by storm winds.

We’re in uncharted waters dealing with these concerns, Craig said. The foreclosure crisis hit after the 2004 hurricanes.

“We try and encourage people to take care of things, so we don’t have missiles in high winds,” Craig said.

DeLand City Manager Michael Pleus said he’s seen neighbors make emergency repairs and even cut the grass at empty foreclosed-upon homes.

But not every neighbor can do that.

An ordinance is in the works in DeLand to address the homes that are not maintained. Often, the banks don’t take care of them, and won’t pay for actions the city takes to make emergency repairs or mow the lawn.

“We’re looking at putting an assessment on the house,” Pleus said.

If the new law passes, when the city’s bill isn’t paid, it will be added to the property’s tax bill.

“Our issue is, we really don’t have the resources to fix up foreclosure homes,” Pleus said.

The assessment would help the city fund maintenance and repair of empty houses.

Pleus said Assistant City Manager Dale Arrington and city staff will meet with Property Appraiser Morgan Gilreath in a couple of weeks to take a look at the process for putting assessments on property-tax bills.

“We hope that Morgan is amenable,” Pleus said.

Earlier this year, Lake Helen also considered putting assessments on homes to recover money the city spent on them.

What finally became ordinance, in April, was putting a lien on homes for unpaid bills. With a lien, however, the money can’t be collected until the house is sold, which, as Pleus noted, could be 20 years down the road.

— pat@beacononlinenews.com

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