Neighborhood Rescue Plan

By Justin P. Jeffre

Empowering Community Councils in the City of Cincinnati to Self Direct Their Future. Putting the Resources where they belong. -Justin Jeffre

This proposal addresses four components:

Neighborhood Council - Empowered to gain control of their neighborhoods.

Problem properties - Abandoned, deteriorated, irresponsible landlords.

Unemployed work force - People with no job, no skills, no structure.

Local contractors and businesses - Money circulates in the community.

Working in conjunction with the City Attorney's Office our Neighborhood Councils will be empowered to exercise the Right of Eminent Domain to take control of problem properties. Then they will determine if the property can be recovered or must be torn down. Whether the best use is sale or conversion into housing stock. If the Council sells the property the proceeds go into the Neighborhood Endowment Trust (NET). The Trust would be managed by trustees selected by local Community Councils. If the decision is made to keep and reclaim the property local contractors and businesses will be hired to complete renovation or repair as needed. A part of the agreement with contractors will be that they hire people from the unemployed work force to do the work. In cooperation with labor unions and trade schools in the area On the Job training programs will be created. Skill training would be provided in plumbing, electrical, carpentry, heating & air conditioning, painting, drywall, tile and carpet.

Trainees pay would be subsidized for a period of one year by the city so the contractor pays minimum wage and the trainee makes a living wage. Any construction loans would be secured by the real estate. Once completed the property could be rented or sold. Housing units could be offered to low income families and senior citizens. Neighborhood Councils would be encouraged to provide favorable terms on housing for teachers, firefighters and police. Renters equity programs would reward good long term tenants with a down payment for a home purchase after x years. This would give people "pride of ownership" which is lacking in most rental units in our city. If tenants act responsibly a portion of rent goes toward a down payment and over time they will be able to realize the dream of home ownership.

All decisions need to be carefully evaluated with sensitivity to the local real estate market. Properties cannot just be "dumped" on the market without adverse effects. By taking control of our problem properties we can return them to a condition where they will be habitable and revenue producing. The benefit to the neighborhood is twofold. The neighborhood trust fund would become an endowment over time and local people will get jobs, training and opportunity while making our city safer and our property values rise. The Neighborhood Councils would retain control and provide direction for the use of funds in the future.