2010-2014 Consolidated Plan - City of Champaign

Goal 2: Eliminate blighting conditions in the City’s neighborhoods. Blighted properties pose aserious obstacle to neighborhood improvement or redevelopment efforts. In general, a blighted propertycan be defined as a parcel containing a seriously dilapidated structure which is no longer being maintainedfor useful occupancy. Blighted properties are frequently the subject of numerous neighborhoodcomplaints. They pose a threat to neighborhood safety and lead to the reduction of property values forsurrounding properties.Strategies:a) Eliminate blighting housing conditions. For redevelopment efforts to continue and be successfulin the City’s low-income neighborhoods, blighted properties must be addressed. These efforts will befocused in areas where redevelopment activities are taking place, such as the neighborhoods inPlanning Areas 1 and 2, Douglass Park, Bristol Place, and Beardsley Park.Activities:1) Lot Acquisition Program: 3 per year (15 in a 5-year period). This program allows the City toidentify properties creating a blighting influence on the surrounding neighborhood, acquire thoseproperties, and clear them for re-use as affordable housing. The citywide program is also availableto non-profit housing developers for this purpose. During FY 10/11, staff will be focused onutilizing the one-time federal stimulus funding through the 2008 Housing and Economic RecoveryAct - Neighborhood Stabilization Program grant for this activity. Prior year HOME funding can alsobe made available for this program during FY 10/11).2) Code Enforcement Activity: 100 per year (500 in a 5-year period). Neighborhood Services willwork with the Legal Department to strengthen enforcement efforts and pursue prosecution againstall property owners who refuse to comply with City code requirements.b) Reduce other blighting influences in neighborhoods. This strategy addresses blightinginfluences not directly related to the housing stock, but rather to the accumulation of junk and debris,tall grass and weeds, derelict vehicles, and similar neighborhood nuisances.Activities:1) Code Enforcement Activity: ~1500 inspections per year. Similar to (a2) above, except that thisrefers to violations of property maintenance codes rather than existing structures code. Efforts toabate code violations will be stepped up through additional prosecution and enforcement activities.2) Neighborhood Clean-up Events: 3 per year (15 in a 5-year period). Carried out with non-federalfunds, these activities allow additional opportunities for residents of low-income neighborhoods todiscard large household goods, appliances and other debris free of charge. These activities help toreduce blighting influences in neighborhoods and curtail illegal dumping on private and City-ownedproperty.3) Accessory Structure Demolition: 1-2 per year (5-10 in a 5-year period). This citywide programprovides funding to eligible owners to remove dilapidated garages, sheds, or other out-buildingsfrom the property. (FY 10/11 Budget: $5,000 CDBG)4) Maintenance City-Owned Properties: 3 per year (15 in a 5-year period). All City-owned propertieswill be maintained in accordance with all applicable property maintenance codes. (FY 10/11Budget: $3,120 CDBG)Goal 3: Provide decent affordable housing for low- and moderate-income households. Thefirst and foremost priority of the federal funding resources received by the City of Champaign has been theStrategic Plan: Affordable Housing 73