If They Can Do It.........?

All over America during the last two decades cities have confronted their run down housing debacles and devised many differing ways to turn them back into liviable neighborhoods.

Some have had great success while others have been declared null & void by the courts.

What follows are the links to a few that we've found that are currently in place and making a positive difference in the communities that created them.

From Blacksburg, VA- http://www.blacksburg.va.us/Index.aspx?page=17 A good example of a community that took steps to create affordable housing and led the way to making its population aware of it.

From Kokomo, IN-http://www.cityofkokomo.org/department/index.asp?fDD=25-0 A sister city of ours that has made rental property registration nearly painfree for the its home rental industry.

From West Lafayette, IN http://www.city.west-lafayette.in.us/government/citystatecode.html
Yet another "Common Sense" approach to nusiance code enforcment.

From Evansville, IN-http://www.evansvillegov.org/Index.aspx?page=40 In particular see Section 15.150.012 Illegal Use of Property & Section 15.150.176 Property Maintenance. Yet another great example how blighted properties are being cleaned up.

In searching for what laws were already in place at the state level concerning rental housing, & tenant/landlord rigghts and responsibilities, we found the following to be very helpful-

http://www.rentlaw.com/indianatenant.htm A very good reference tool.


And let us not leave out our very own New Albany Building Code (such as it is)-
http://www.amlegal.com/nxt/gateway.dll/Indiana/newalb/titlexvlandusage/chapter150buildingregulations?f=templates$fn=altmain-nf.htm$3.0#JD_Chapter150


The one thing all of these examples have in common is the willingness of each, both financially and politically to improve their individual communities.


So the question becomes does our Common Council and Administration as a whole have the veracity and courage to not only admit that New Albany has a substandard housing problem?


But to research what others have done, develope a workable solution from such, put it in place and commit the financial & personell resources as well as the political will to make it work??

A mouthful I know but the core of the matter none the less.

For what it is worth I have forwarded these links and others like them to Council President Gahan, Council Members who have working email, Deputy Mayor Malysz, Buildiing Commission President, and many other adminstration officials as well.


The point being, the information is out in the hands of those who have the power to make a difference. The "I've never seen this" dog won't hunt in these woods.

Now we wait & see.