For Neighbors

YOU CAN HELP PROTECT YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND PROPERTY VALUES

Neighborhood Involvement


What do you see happening with vacant homes in your neighborhood?

You can help keep property values up and promote a safe and healthy neighborhood by monitoring vacant properties.

Grand Rapids residents –  YOU can join EYES WIDE OPEN.

 

You can print out and keep the EYES WIDE OPEN Info for Volunteer Monitors document.

 

You should print out, fill in the EYESWIDE OPEN Sign Up form, and email it to ForeclosureResponse@gmail.com

 


Without proper upkeep, these homes can lead to neighborhood blight, crime and lower property values. Empty homes can be vandalized, used as a haven for illegal activities, and attract thieves who steal metals (especially copper) and other items that can be re-sold.

Each city has a department in charge of making sure vacant buildings are maintained. The owner of a vacant property is responsible for mowing the grass, shoveling snow off the sidewalk, removing trash, boarding up the windows properly and other maintenance issues.

To report a problem property to the City of Grand Rapids:

If you believe a house in your neighborhood has been vacant for at least 30 days and is open to entry, or not being maintained, please report it to the Neighborhood Improvement office by calling 456-3053 or submit your report on their website:

http://www.grand-rapids.mi.us/index.pl?page_id=403

They will want to know:

1. The address of the house, if known, or the address of a neighboring house.
2. Any information you know about the house, such as:


  • How long it has been vacant
  • Who owns it – if you happen to know
  • What condition the house is in (are the doors open or unlocked, are there safety hazards like broken glass, etc.)


3. Your name and information. This allows them to keep you informed on their progress.

Foreclosure Response would like to track complaints made to the city.

Please e-mail us if you report a problem property: ForeclosureResponse@gmail.com.

While governments, housing and service agencies are addressing the problem, residents can help themselves and their neighbors with a little work to keep the neighborhood safe and looking good.

Some good neighbor suggestions:


  1. Be active in your neighborhood association.
  2. Meet your neighbors, and know who lives where.
  3. Be aware when neighbors move out (many times a house stays vacant for months before the bank is aware that the owner has moved out).
  4. When a house is vacant, collect trash and put it out for pick-up. Remember, trash can bring rats.
  5. Park a car in front of the house to maintain an occupied look.
  6. Pull weeds and mow the lawn.
  7. Shovel snow off the sidewalk in front and up to the house.
  8. Report any suspicious cars or people on the property to the police.


And you can help stop the foreclosures that lead to vacant properties by spreading the word.


  • Anyone in Kent County who has missed even one mortgage payment should call for free help from a trained housing specialist.


Call Home Repair Services at 616-241-2601.

To report a problem property in Kentwood, go to

http://www.ci.kentwood.mi.us/planning/PropMaintComp.asp or call the property maintenance inspector at 554-0768.

To report a problem property in Wyoming, call Building Inspections at 530-7285.