Combating blight

Cities across the country are taking necessary steps to prevent foreclosed or vacant houses from becoming a blight on their communities.

Officials in 350 cities in nearly every state have approved ordinances requiring property owners and banks to maintain their properties, USA Today reports. If not, city employees often will board up windows, mow the lawn or trim the hedges with the cost deferred through fines or attached to the tax bill.

Cape Coral, Fla., has collected more than $400,000 in liens imposed on foreclosed properties. City workers have mowed more than 5,200 lawns in the past two years.

Chula Vista, Calif., which fines owners of dilapidated property up to $1,000, has imposed almost $1.5 million in fines with $600,000 collected since the ordinance was adopted two years ago.

Workers in South Bend, Ind., have boarded up windows on nearly 900 properties, about half of them foreclosures.

Homes can fall into disrepair after residents or owners vacate the property, either because it is in foreclosure or they must move due to lack of employment. Empty buildings can attract vandals and criminals. Property that is not maintained can become an eyesore or scare off potential buyers. It can drag down property values. Entire neighborhoods can fall into disrepair, leading to even more costly measures to repair or raze dangerous structures.

City actions are warranted to protect public safety and property values.