Recommendations Addressing vacant property concerns in Louisville should follow a strategy that focuses on four goals: 1. Prevention 2. Short-term solutions (stabilization of neighborhoods) 3. Long-term solutions (systemic and regulatory changes) 4. Evaluation and tracking of the problem and program outcomes
Recommendations Establish a Local Vacant Property Database Mandatory Vacant Property Registration Serving a Growing Rental Market Land Assembly: Thinking Beyond a Single Property Eliminate Sale of Tax Debt to Third Party Investors State Legislation to Promote Brownfields Redevelopment
Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) in Louisville Metro Louisville NSP funding has produced 17 for purchase housing units 9 single family rental units 2 public facilities Kentucky State NSP funding to the Louisville MSA has produced In Louisville Metro 45 new homes 7 home rehabs 29 properties acquired for NSP land banking In New Albany, Indiana 2 new homes 2 home rehabs 1 public facility
Measures of Housing Conditions in Louisville 1/3 of all households in Louisville rent Households need to earn $27,920/yr or $13.92/hr to afford a 2-bedroom unit at Fair Market Rent Median household income is $25,633. A household would need 1.9 full-time jobs at minimum wage to afford a 2- bedroom unit at Fair Market Rent Foreclosures in 2011 in the Louisville MSA decreased 34% from 2010 10,187 homeless persons accessed services in 2011 There were 12,389 homeless students in JCPS during the 2011-2012 school year, and 868 additional in the surrounding counties
Contact John W. Vick John.vick@louisville.edu Lauren Heberle Lauren.heberle@louisville.edu Center for Environmental Policy and Management University of Louisville Web: louisville.edu/cepm/ Phone: 502.852.8042 Email: cepmefc@louisville.edu
Recommendations A Call to Action!
Vacant Properties Steps You Can Take Now Support the bill to be introduced in the 2013 legislative session that will: Allow local governments to retain control over the future of taxable properties by allowing cities to opt out of the sale of property tax liens to 3 rd -party investors. Modernize tax foreclosure in the state to allow local government to seize abandoned properties, and Update the land bank statutes in Kentucky in order to allow those governments to efficiently return tax-delinquent properties to productive use. Join the Local Options for Kentucky Liens (LOKL) coalition in support of this bill (www.loklcoalition.org). Sign up for its email list today.
Vacant Properties Steps You Can Take Now Support the proposed Vacant and Abandoned Property Foreclosure registration ordinance, but advocate for a more comprehensive, mandatory registration program for all vacant properties. The successes of the NSP program show the impact of reinvesting in our neighborhoods- advocate for sustained, continued reinvestment in the reuse of properties. Join the Louisville Vacant Properties Campaign.
Increase Investment in Affordable Housing & Community Development Support the 1% insurance premium tax increase to provide a permanent, locally-controlled funding source for the Louisville Affordable Housing Trust Fund (LAHTF) proposed by its board. Support the passage of reforms advocated by Local Options for Kentucky Liens (LOKL). Use revenues those reforms will create to reinvest in our neighborhoods.
Make Fair & Affordable Housing Available Throughout Our Community Support revisions to the Land Development Code that increase opportunities for multi-family housing and smaller lot sizes and that allow increased density in the residential use of land. Participate in A Community Conversation on Fair Housing at the Louisville Free Public Library- Main Branch on January 8 at 5:30 p.m. in the Centennial Room. Help develop action steps for the Louisville Metro Human Relations Commission s 20-Year Action Plan for Fair Housing.
Preserve Access to Homeownership Advocate for continued support of accredited foreclosure counseling and increased access to attorneys to represent homeowners at risk of foreclosure. Support continued funding of homeownership counseling and credit counseling. Work with advocates to ensure low- and moderateincome households can access mortgage loans in the wake of financial reforms.
Make Housing for Families a Community Priority Advocate for aggressive policies that preserve, improve, and create affordable housing for low-income families and that make housing for families with children a priority. Ensure that Louisville Metro Housing Authority replaces razed units with the same number of family units without additional entry requirements. Support changes to the Land Development Code to allow diverse housing types, reuse of vacant properties, and funding the Louisville Affordable Housing Trust Fund that have been discussed.
Stay Involved in Housing Issues Sign up for email lists for MHC, the Louisville Vacant Properties Campaign (LVPC), and Local Options for Kentucky Liens and stay informed as issues and events arise. Comment on the Annual Action Plans for the Louisville Metro Department of Community Services and Revitalization and the Louisville Metro Housing Authority. Contact your Metro Councilperson and your representatives in the Kentucky legislature and ask them to make affordable housing a policy priority.