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BOOK 87 PAGE 701 <br />2. Coordinate with the building division in follow-up activities <br />to evaluate substandard housing units, identified by the <br />update, for rehabilitation or demolition; and <br />3. Utilize the information provided by the substandard housing <br />inventory to encourage participation in neighborhood <br />improvement programs, and/or rehabilitation programs <br />activities, directed, sponsored or supported by the county. <br />ON MOTION by Commissioner Scurlock, SECONDED by <br />Commissioner Bird, the Board unanimously (4-0, <br />Chairman Eggert being absent) directed staff to <br />conduct the activities outlined in the above <br />memorandum for a neighborhood substandard housing <br />inventory. <br />Commissioner Bird led discussion regarding substandard <br />structures that are demolished. He felt that when the County <br />demolishes a structure, the effect is that we transport the rubble <br />to our landfill, which shortens the life of the landfill; the <br />County places a lien on the property and possibly makes the <br />property unsalable and undevelopable because of the additional <br />burden of the lien; the vacant lot probably will not be maintained; <br />and the owner has lost the potential income from the house. <br />Commissioner Bird wondered if we could find a mechanism to take the <br />$3,000 or $4,000 demolition cost and loan it to the owner of that <br />house, let them rehabilitate that home which could then be placed <br />on the market for rent, and they would repay the loan. That way we <br />would not have a worthless lien on a piece of property. <br />Commissioner Scurlock reminded the Board that housing <br />rehabilitation grant money has been available for at least 12 <br />years. <br />Director Keating responded that demolition is the very last <br />resort and is used only when staff has not been able to contact <br />anyone involved with the property. Staff is researching the <br />possibility that some of the non-profit housing corporations may be <br />interested in using the materials which would otherwise be sent to <br />the landfill. The legislature recently passed an additional $.10 <br />document stamp fee to be used for affordable construction and <br />rehabilitation, and the Affordable Housing Advisory Committee is <br />presently working on a proposed housing trust fund to make those <br />funds for housing rehabilitation. So, if money is not available <br />right now for rehabilitation of units that are scheduled for <br />demolition, this program might make that money available. <br />46 <br />