Councilman Claude Mattox's Monthly Newsletter Column June 2008
Foreclosures Affect Everyone
Abandoned homes, unkempt property, overgrown weeds and misplaced neighbors – lately these are becoming a common reality for Valley residents. Whether you know someone whose home has been foreclosed, you’ve heard about the housing situation in the media or it has happened to you, the national mortgage foreclosure crisis has hit our community hard.
Earlier this year, Arizona was ranked fourth in the nation for the rate of foreclosures by RealtyTrac, Inc. In January and February, more than 4,200 foreclosures were filed in Phoenix, compared to a total of 9,000 foreclosures for all of 2007. Data shows that west Phoenix neighborhoods are experiencing the highest level of foreclosures. According to the city’s Neighborhood Services Department (NSD), there have been 871 foreclosures filed by District 5, a 344 percent increase from last year’s total of 196.
The crisis affects everyone, not just those whose homes are foreclosed. Costs to neighborhoods and cities include an increase in property maintenance violations and abatement, vacant homes, loss in collections of sewer and water bills, crime and the intangible costs in loss of neighborhood confidence and pride of ownership.
While all this news is discouraging, help is available. The city recently allocated $275,000 of the 2008-09 Community Development Block Grant funds to supplement gaps with federal government outreach to enhance outreach and education. The primary needs are:
- outreach and education to engage at-risk homeowners before foreclosure
- counseling for all options
- programs that assist homeowners to remain in the home where possible.
Funding also will be used for efforts to promote homebuyer counseling to assist in preparing them for successful homeownership. This type of counseling has a proven track record of success and will assist new buyers to be well-prepared and financially competent.
In addition to the funding, the city is actively participating in several state and local foreclosure initiatives. Staff from several city departments are active in the statewide Foreclosure Prevention Task Force. Our staff also has proactively provided monthly foreclosure statistics data to local school districts to assist them with resource planning and student enrollment issues. We actively work with public safety personnel, neighborhood associations and groups to quickly identify vacant and blighted properties so they can be monitored and abated, if necessary.
Along with the city’s actions, residents, community leaders and neighborhoods are encouraged to work together and protect their areas from blight. Remember, a foreclosed home is private property and accessing a property without permission of the owner is trespassing. Below are a few ideas to share on how to respond to vacant and foreclosed homes:
- Report blight to the city’s Neighborhood Services Department to start the code enforcement process. For overheight weeds, trash, litter or debris, fences in disrepair, open and vacant buildings, abandoned vehicles, call NSD at 602-262-7844, or visit phoenix.gov/NBHDPGMS/neigpres.html.
- Schedule a neighborhood cleanup. You can find good tips on tool lending from the city, and a host of good ideas to help organize your cleanup effort at phoenix.gov/CLEANPHX/index.html. There you’ll also find information on organizing your neighborhood, workshops for neighborhood residents and neighborhood maintenance tips. Look for the “Neighborhood Association Tool Kit”. It offers step-by-step instructions for organizing a cleanup.
- Keep a close watch on vacant properties and call Phoenix Police to report any suspicious activity at Crime Stop 602-262-6151.
Residents who are concerned about a possible foreclosure of their home are encouraged to visit hud.gov/foreclosure. Or visit my Web site at phoenix.gov/district5 for a complete listing of housing counseling agencies available to assist homeowners having difficulty paying their mortgage or in the pre-foreclosure process.
It will take several years for the housing crisis to subside, but residents can work together to protect their homes and neighborhoods.
If you have questions or comments about this or any other topic or issue, call Councilman Mattox’s office at 602-262-7446 or send an e-mail to council.district.5@phoenix.gov.