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Jackson Acquires 19 Foreclosed Properties for 100 Homes Project

One Community Update
June 5, 2025

Source: www.mlive.com

The city of Jackson acquired several foreclosed properties for future development.

In their Tuesday, May 27 meeting, the Jackson City Council voted unanimously to accept the 19 parcels through the Jackson County Treasurer. The city envisions these as suitable sites for the 100 Homes Program, according to a memo to city council.

On April 1, the Jackson County Treasurer foreclosed on 41 parcels within the city of Jackson for non-payment of 2022 and prior property taxes. The state of Michigan has first right of refusal for the properties, which the state declined, allowing the city to consider the parcels before tax auctions, according to the memo.

Jackson’s Department of Community Development determined that these parcels were desirable for development, especially for the city’s 100 Homes Program, City Manager Jonathan Greene said.

So far, the 100 Homes Program has approved 48 applications with almost 120 applications still under review. Since the inception of the program in June 2023, 20 homes have been fully completed and 62 are in progress, bringing an estimated construction value of nearly $11 million.

Approved 100 Homes applicants are provided a vacant lot tour by city staff where they can select the location for their new home. As not all vacant lots owned by the city are buildable, the new lots make good candidates, according to the memo.

These parcels are located in wards 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6. Seventeen of the parcels are vacant, but two have existing structures on them, Director of Community Development Shane LaPorte said.

The property on South Jackson Street has a vacant party store, which the city decided to retain control of due to blight and for potential future developments, he said.

The other structure is located on Greenwood Avenue and will likely be used for firefighter training on residential structures, he said.

The city is responsible for paying all delinquent taxes, fees, penalties, interest and any costs to date. Acquiring the parcels will require payment of unpaid taxes for $27,797 through the Land Acquisition budget, according to the memo.

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CEO

Alan Jaffa

Alan Jaffa is the Chief Executive Officer for Safeguard Properties, steering the company as the mortgage field services industry leader. He also serves on the board of advisors for SCG Partners, a middle-market private equity fund focused on diversifying and expanding Safeguard Properties’ business model into complimentary markets.

Alan joined Safeguard in 1995, learning the business from the ground up. He was promoted to Chief Operating Officer in 2002, and was named CEO in May 2010. His hands-on experience has given him unique insights as a leader to innovate, improve and strengthen Safeguard’s processes to assure that the company adheres to the highest standards of quality and customer service.

Under Alan’s leadership, Safeguard has grown significantly with strategies that have included new and expanded services, technology investments that deliver higher quality and greater efficiency to clients, and strategic acquisitions. He takes a team approach to process improvement, involving staff at all levels of the organization to address issues, brainstorm solutions, and identify new and better ways to serve clients.

In 2008, Alan was recognized by Crain’s Cleveland Business in its annual “40-Under-40” profile of young leaders. He also was named a NEO Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® Award finalist in 2013.

Esq., General Counsel and EVP

Linda Erkkila

Linda Erkkila is the General Counsel and Executive Vice President for Safeguard Properties, with oversight of legal, human resources, training, and compliance. Linda’s broad scope of oversight covers regulatory issues that impact Safeguard’s operations, risk mitigation, strategic planning, human resources and training initiatives, compliance, insurance, litigation and claims management, and counsel related to mergers, acquisition and joint ventures.

Linda assures that Safeguard’s strategic initiatives align with its resources, leverage opportunities across the company, and contemplate compliance mandates. She has practiced law for 25 years and her experience, both as outside and in-house counsel, covers a wide range of corporate matters, including regulatory disclosure, corporate governance compliance, risk assessment, compensation and benefits, litigation management, and mergers and acquisitions.

Linda earned her JD at Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. She holds a degree in economics from Miami University and an MBA. Linda was previously named as both a “Woman of Influence” by HousingWire and as a “Leading Lady” by MReport.

COO

Michael Greenbaum

Michael Greenbaum is the Chief Operating Officer of Safeguard Properties, where he has played a pivotal role since joining the company in July 2010. Initially brought on as Vice President of REO, Mike’s exceptional leadership and strategic vision quickly propelled him to Vice President of Operations in 2013, and ultimately to COO in 2015. Over his 14-year tenure at Safeguard, Mike has been instrumental in driving change and fostering innovation within the Property Preservation sector, consistently delivering excellence and becoming a trusted partner to clients and investors.

A distinguished graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, Mike earned a degree in Quantitative Economics. Following his graduation, he served in the U.S. Army’s Ordnance Branch, where he specialized in supply chain management. Before his tenure at Safeguard, Mike honed his expertise by managing global supply chains for 13 years, leveraging his military and civilian experience to lead with precision and efficacy.

CFO

Joe Iafigliola

Joe Iafigliola is the Chief Financial Officer for Safeguard Properties. Joe is responsible for the Control, Quality Assurance, Business Development, Marketing, Accounting, and Information Security departments. At the core of his responsibilities is the drive to ensure that Safeguard’s focus remains rooted in Customer Service = Resolution. Through his executive leadership role, he actively supports SGPNOW.com, an on-demand service geared towards real estate and property management professionals as well as individual home owners in need of inspection and property preservation services. Joe is also an integral force behind Compliance Connections, a branch of Safeguard Properties that allows code enforcement professionals to report violations at properties that can then be addressed by the Safeguard vendor network. Compliance Connections also researches and shares vacant property ordinance information with Safeguard clients.

Joe has an MBA from The Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University, is a Certified Management Accountant (CMA), and holds a bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University’s Honors Accounting program.

Business Development

Carrie Tackett

Business Development Safeguard Properties