Safeguard Participates in LGA Curriculum; Shows Options to Fight Blight

Posted on September 13, 2018October 4, 2018 by Safeguard

Local Government Academy
“New Tools in the Blight Fight: Options in Dealing with Dilapidated or Abandoned Properties”
Carnegie Library of Homestead, PA
October 15th, 2013

On October 15, the Local Government Academy (LGA) convened a training session titled “Options in Dealing with Dilapidated or Abandoned Properties”. Following prior presentations for the Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group (PCRG) and the Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania, Safeguard Properties was invited to participate in the curriculum.

Michael Halpern, Safeguard’s director of community initiatives, provided attendees with insight into mortgage servicing best practices. Attendees voiced their frustration with identifying proper points of contacts following abandonment by the homeowner/mortgagor. Halpern provided a demonstration of the Compliance Connections ^® platform designed specifically to address this very issue and shared the successes from its widespread usage across the nation.

The LGA was established in 1983 to “promote excellence in government through education” for local government elected and appointed officials and municipal employees. The LGA’s continuing objectives include offering more than 30 training and educational programs to local government officials in an expanded market area, and coordinating a range of on-site technical assistance to assist distressed municipalities in implementing what they learned in the classroom.

In 2012, the LGA and its partners, Sustainable Pittsburgh and the Pennsylvania Housing Alliance, launched the “New Tools in the Fight Against Blight” training series. This series focuses on new tools that are transforming the way blight and abandonment is fought in communities across southwestern Pennsylvania — and the Commonwealth — and provides elected and appointed officials, community leaders, municipal solicitors and citizens with the information they need to better understand what tools exist and how they can use them to properly addresses blighted and abandoned properties.

Safeguard realizes the continual need to share knowledge and available resources to communities across the country. LGA is yet another new platform to communicate, share, collaborate, and partner. Safeguard would like to offer its appreciation to LGA for including the company in this training session and extend its best wishes for continued success.

About Safeguard
Safeguard Properties is the largest mortgage field services company in the U.S. Founded in 1990 by Robert Klein and based in Valley View, Ohio, the company inspects and maintains defaulted and foreclosed properties for mortgage servicers, lenders, and other financial institutions. Safeguard employs approximately 1,700 people, in addition to a network of thousands of contractors nationally. Website: www.safeguardproperties.com.

Redefining “Rust Belt”: An Exchange of Strategies

Posted on September 13, 2018October 4, 2018 by Safeguard

The Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond released its Fall 2013 publication titled Redefining “Rust Belt”: An Exchange of Strategies by the Cities of Baltimore, Cleveland, Detroit and Philadelphia. Leaders from these cities were engaged in a discussion of challenges and strategies in city revitalization efforts.

Please click here to view the publication in its entirety.

Detroit, MI Ordinance ‘Restoring Our Communities’ Aimed At Redeveloping

Posted on September 13, 2018October 4, 2018 by Safeguard

On October 17, mLIVE.com published an article titled ‘Restoring Our Communities’ Policy Package Aimed At Redeveloping Detroit Beyond Midtown And Downtown.

‘Restoring Our Communities’ policy package aimed at redeveloping Detroit beyond Midtown and downtown

DETROIT, MI – With 78,000 empty buildings in a 139-square-mile city, Detroit has been ragged on both physically and mentally, with some national news outlets even showing aerial video of the uniquely giant and vacant Packard Plant while equating it to the city’s blight.

But Detroit residents and members of Michigan United have released a plan that they said will help Detroiters keep their homes, while bringing redevelopment to areas beyond Midtown and downtown.

“Yes, our city’s in crisis, and our neighborhoods are hurting,” Rev. Frank Jackson, pastor at AME Zion Church in central Detroit, said Thursday at gathering to announce an initiative called Restoring Our Communities. “However, we see a bright light at the end of the tunnel. You see, we’re not the kind of people who just complain about a problem, we’re the kind of people who will work to address the problem, and that’s why we’re here today – to address the problem.”

The proposed Restoring Our Communities plan by Michigan United calls for a city ordinance that does the following things:

Requires banks to post a $10,000 bond for each new foreclosure, allowing the city to use the money to maintain the property in case the banks neglect it.
Creates a blight offender registry that dishes out steep fines to owners of several blighted properties.
Establishes “good corporate citizenship standards” with which the city holds banks it does business with accountable, including encouraging the financial institutions to work with underwater homeowners.
Creates a public trust to oversee funds collected through the blight program to see to it that the money is redeployed into neighborhood development projects.

“While the causes of blight are complex, more than 40 percent of vacant properties in Detroit are the result of mortgage foreclosures,” said Lee Gaddies, a Michigan United member and legislative director for the Bagley Community Council.

Gaddies added, “Places like downtown and Midtown have been getting a lot of attention lately, and that’s a good first step. But we need all of Detroit to be strong for our future.”

Michigan United said the policy package was crafted with input from thousands of Detroiters, and refined with the help of local and national legal experts. Some cities in California have drafted a similar ordinance.

The plan will not be pushed on City Hall for at least a few months. Gaddies said the policy package had been well-received by both mayoral candidates, though in election season he takes that with a grain of salt. The group is also waiting for the next wave of City Council candidates to come to office.

Debbi Adams, one of the Detroiters spearheading the Restoring Our Communities effort, said the group will also approach state-appointed Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr. “We plan to request a meeting with him, and we hope he will be an ally,” she said.

Adams, who lives around the corner from Greater Mt. Tabor Baptist Church, where Thursday’s meeting was taking place, said she was on the verge of losing her own home a few years back, and decided to seek legal help. That’s how she got involved with Michigan United, she said.

“The banks came after me,” she said. “I decided I wanted to go after them.”

To view the online article, please click here.

Cincinnati, OH Councilman Calls to Expand VPR to Every Neighborhood

Posted on September 13, 2018October 4, 2018 by Safeguard

On August 28, Fox19.com reported on a story titled Sittenfeld Calls for Expansion of Vacant Property Legislation.

Sittenfeld calls for expansion of vacant property legislation

NORTHSIDE, OH (FOX19) – Cincinnati City Councilman P.G. Sittenfeld has proposed to expand the vacant property legislation to every neighborhood in Cincinnati.

Currently, the Vacant Foreclosed Property Registration (VFPR), which requires lenders to register these vacant properties with the city and maintain them to a reasonable standard, only operates in College Hill, East Price Hill, West Price Hill, Madisonville and Westwood – Neighborhoods which see the highest number of foreclosures each year.

The pilot program is part of Sittenfeld’s Restoring Our Communities Initiative and has tracked over 600 foreclosures and ensured nearly half of these properties are registered vacant with the city.

“Vacant properties often become big problems in our communities,” Sittenfeld said. “They bring down property values, lower our quality of life, and become magnets for crime. Big banks and lenders should have to maintain their properties just like the rest of us, and as we’ve always said, too big too fail shouldn’t mean too big to mow the lawn.”

Sittenfeld announced his city-wide expansion proposal Wednesday in Northside surrounded by housing advocates and community members.

He’s circulating a policy motion which calls for city administration to give a full status report of the VFPR pilot program and present a plan for the program’s expansion.

To view the online article, please click here.

To view a related article, please click here.

Canton, OH Amends VPR Ordinance to Begin Enforcement

Posted on September 13, 2018October 4, 2018 by Safeguard

On October 3, CantonRep.com published an article titled Canton City Amends Foreclosure Law to Begin Enforcement.

Canton City amends foreclosure law to begin enforcement

CANTON — Five years ago, Kevin Fisher worked in the county auditor’s office assessing the property taxes of landowners who’d failed to clean up trash or cut their grass and weeds. The properties had become such a nuisance that local governments like Canton had come in to clean them or board them up, charging the owner for their work.

It was work as usual for Fisher, now a Canton City councilman who represents the city’s 5th Ward, until an assessment came through with his mother’s name on it for the home he grew up in.

Fisher knew something was wrong: His mom had fallen on hard times and was forced to quit work because of a nagging back problem. She moved out of the home shortly after the bank began the foreclosure process. She wasn’t living there, nor was she responsible for taking care of the property.

Fisher came to learn what many others dealing with the impact of the foreclosure crisis had already discovered – that banks were canceling foreclosure proceedings after the borrower, the occupant, had vacated.

“Once that happened, the bank asked for the foreclosure to be dismissed,” he said. “It didn’t mean they turned the house back over to her. They still hold the lien. They do this because they get out of maintaining the property; They get out of paying the taxes by not putting it in their name. I learned the problem based on what happened to my own family.”

A foreclosure-bond law first approved in August in 2012 was never enforced. City Council made changes to the ordinance Monday to give the law new life. Fisher says the ordinance now places the onus on the banks to take care of the properties once they begin foreclosure and throughout the proceedings.

“It’s that limbo state that we’re trying to address,” he said.

HOW IT WORKS

Too many properties — vacated by owners whose lenders started the foreclosure process — have turned to eyesores. Fisher says the city has spent too much taxpayer money mowing the grass, cutting weeds, collecting trash and other debris, boarding up and in some case demolishing the homes.

Banks will be required to provide the city with a $10,000 cash bond that can be used to pay the costs of cleanup or maintenance if the property falls into disrepair. The city will keep a portion – likely $200 to $300 – for administrative costs.

To view the article in it’s entirety, please click here.

Hurricane Lane: Monster Storm Strengthens to Category 5, Hawaii County Under Hurricane Warning

Posted on September 13, 2018December 20, 2018 by Safeguard

Updated 9/27/18: FEMA issued a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration for areas in Hawaii affected by Hurricane Lane from August 22-29, 2018.

Link to All Client Alert

Updated 8/23/18: Fannie Mae issued a press release titled Fannie Mae Reminds Homeowners and Servicers of Mortgage Assistance Options for Areas Affected by Hurricane Lane.

Link to All Client Alert

Updated 8/23/18: Freddie Mac issued a press release titled As Hurricane Lane Approaches Hawaiian Islands, Freddie Mac Confirms Disaster Relief Policies.

Link to All Client Alert

Updated 8/22/18: FEMA issued an Emergency Declaration for areas in Hawaii due to the emergency conditions resulting from Hurricane Lane beginning August 22, 2018 and continuing.

Link to declaration

Link to county ZIP Code list

NOTE: According to a 2016 census estimate, Kalawao County was the least-populated county in the United States and occupies the least area of any county. Due to this fact, it does not have the functions of other Hawaii counties and is a judicial district of Maui County. For this purpose, it has been added to the linked ZIP Code list. (Source: Wikipedia)

This has not yet been declared a Presidential Major Disaster Area.

All Client Alert
August 22, 2018

Source: CBS News

Additional Resources:

Office of Hawaii Governor David Ige (Governor Ige Signs Emergency Proclamation in Anticipation of Hurricane Lane)

Emergency Proclamation County ZIP Code List

Safeguard Properties Disaster Update Center

NOTE: This is independent from any FEMA Declared Disaster.

HONOLULU — Hurricane Lane strengthened to a Category 5 storm late Tuesday with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph as it moved closer to Hawaii, the National Hurricane Center said. Hawaii County, also known as the Big Island, is under a hurricane warning, meaning hurricane conditions are expected in the next 36 hours.

Oahu and Maui County, which includes the islands of Maui, Lanai, Molokai and Kahoolawe, are under a hurricane watch. A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the next 48 hours.

As of 1 a.m. ET, Lane was located about 375 miles south of Kailua-Kona, on the west coast of Big Island, and about 535 miles south of Honolulu. On the forecast track, the storm is expected to move very close to or over the main Hawaiian Islands from Thursday through Saturday.

Hurricane-force winds extend outward up to 40 miles from the center and tropical-storm-force winds extend outward up to 140 miles.

Hawaii residents could be slammed with heavy rain, flash flooding and high surf even if the center doesn’t reach the islands, said senior Honolulu forecaster Tom Birchard.

Officials have urged residents to prepare “for the worst,” CBS Honolulu affiliate KGMB-TV reported.

“Some people might say, ‘Another hurricane, it didn’t hit us last time, we don’t need to worry.’ No, we got to plan for the worst and hope for the best,” Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell said on Monday.

Officials are also taking steps to prevent problems, including closing beach parks and clearing streams, KGMB-TV reported.

As Hurricane Lane approaches Hawaii, actions are being taken to prepare for its impact.

National Property Preservation Conference 2017

Posted on September 10, 2018October 10, 2018 by Safeguard

PowerPoint Presentations

Photos

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This annual conference was held in Baltimore, MD at the Baltimore Marriott Waterfront Hotel.

American Association of Code Enforcement (AACE) Annual Conference 2017

Posted on September 10, 2018October 29, 2018 by Safeguard

Safeguard Sponsors Annual AACE Scholarships and Provides Education in Hebron, KY

Safeguard’s Community Initiatives Department proudly returned to participate at the 2017 annual conference of the American Association of Code Enforcement (AACE), the nation’s leading organization for code professionals. Director of Community Initiatives Michael Halpern and Community Relations Liaison Heather Lazar joined code enforcement officers from 38 states for the weeklong event that featured timely education and a celebration of the many advancements within the trade.

From the banks of the Ohio River in Hebron, Kentucky, Halpern and Lazar led two classes that provided key elements necessary to building the skill sets and assisting in the day-to-day operations for code enforcement officers. This consisted of an overview of the many phases of the foreclosure process, including pre- and post-sale activities and ownership, the best practices undertaken by mortgage servicers to inspect and maintain homes during and following foreclosure, and the innovative creations that have resulted from a solid partnership between the industry and code enforcement officers.

The classes also featured Rob Himes, CCEO, with Kenton County, Kentucky, who discussed the fundamentals of the county’s vacant foreclosed property ordinance. As the county’s Code Administrator, Himes elaborated on the history, desired outcomes, and requirements of the ordinance. He confirmed that this ordinance was properly crafted to meet the needs of the county and is successfully delivering intended outcomes. Himes attributes this achievement to strong, inclusive, and clearly termed definitions, such as “owner”, as well as appropriately designated and firmly stated roles and responsibilities. The effectiveness of the registration ordinance is further fortified by a thorough form that was well-designed to operate in the current, national structure of lending and servicing home loans. For example, the form asks for details of not only the mortgage company, but also the property preservation company, which provides the county’s desired direct point of contact for maintenance issues.

Halpern and Lazar recognized the recipients of eight Safeguard scholarships to the conference. Since the community initiatives department’s creation of the scholarship program in 2011, 56 code enforcement officers from 25 states have been awarded the opportunity to sharpen their skill sets at this annual event. Twenty-four essays were submitted for consideration, which has been the most received to date. After much review, officers from Irving, TX; Orting, WA; North Las Vegas, NV; Harvard, IL; Independence, MO; Chandler, AZ; Fort Lauderdale, FL; and Hillsborough County, FL were selected for their thoughts on local partnership and collaboration. As cities and counties face mounting budgetary and staffing challenges, Safeguard understands that sending officers for training is taxing, so it is hoped that these eight officers will relay this critical information that they received at the conference to their code teams within their respective jurisdictions, along with peers across their respective states.

Safeguard congratulates the AACE Board of Directors and conference committee for maintaining its proven tradition of hosting a superb annual conference. The community initiatives department was honored to play a role in executing a constructive event for code enforcement officers throughout the country.

Save the date!
The 2018 AACE conference is October 27th – November 1st.
We hope to see everyone in Broomfield, Colorado!

The AACE Conference was held in Hebron, KY.

Midwest Regional Vendor Conference 2017

Posted on September 10, 2018October 10, 2018 by Safeguard

For the second year, Safeguard hosted a Midwest Regional Vendor Conference, bringing together nearly 350 vendors from the midwestern states. The two-day conference featured a general session on building a better business and several workshops focused on improving vendor processes to provide higher quality results, utilizing Safeguard’s mobile applications to complete work more efficiently, and much more.

Participants were also provided the unique opportunity to meet one-on-one with their vendor account manager (VAM), field quality control representative (FQC), or a member of Safeguard’s leadership team to ask questions, discuss solutions and brainstorm new ideas to improve processes.

Summaries

Workshops
Get More Work
INSPI
Leveraging Mobile
Seasonal Maintenance
Understanding Convey Condition
Vendor Web
What Would You Do?

Photos

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This conference took place at the Renaissance Hotel in Cleveland, OH on June 26-27, 2017. The two-day conference opened dialogue between Safeguard vendors and staff on the key industry issues.

REOMAC Annual Summit & Expo

Posted on September 10, 2018October 10, 2018 by Safeguard

Safeguard Properties’ Community Initiatives Department was honored to participate in the 2017 REOMAC Annual Summit & Expo.

Michael Halpern, director of community initiatives, moderated a general session titled Managing Vacant Property Ordinances.

Joining Halpern on the panel were:

Robert B. Eyre, Foehl & Eyre
Peter Lemos, Police Services Manager, Stockton, CA Police Department, Neighborhood Services Section
Richard P. Ormond, Buchalter Nemer

The topic of conversation focused on the numerous vacant property ordinances that continue to be enacted nationwide, including those requiring registration.

Halpern discussed the role of the Community Initiatives Department to provide educational outreach and resources to bring about a more cohesive relationship with local governments. Regarding local ordinances, there is a cause and effect. The ordinances are the result of frustration, often unnecessary and caused by a lack of understanding of the servicing industry and lack of transparency resulting in ineffective communication. The department works proactively with local governments to see if ordinances are needed and during the drafting process to attempt to remove any ambiguous language and assist in easing compliance.

Lemos, shared with the attendees his experiences and policies working for the city of Stockton. As a former panelist at the National Property Preservation Conference, Lemos discussed the successes and benefits of engaging the mortgage servicing and mortgage field services industries. Though Stockton takes an aggressive abatement stance, Lemos’s staff works closely with the industry to mitigate these actions. Lemos also shared his desire to assist servicers in one of their greatest challenges, certifying the abandonment of a property.

Ormond shared his experience working as a receiver in California. The number of properties falling into receiverships has been increasing and when done correctly can benefit the servicer and truly make a dent in community blight.

Finally, Eyre shared some of his experiences practicing in New Jersey. Numerous instances where the wrong party has been named has resulted in time consuming and expensive outcomes for both the industry and local communities. Coining the term “lobbying through litigation”, Eyre is taking the victories and encouraging the municipalities to proactively amend the wording and requirements to ensure accurate and efficient outcomes.

Halpern and Safeguard Properties would like to congratulate REOMAC on another successful conference and offer its thanks for its inclusion in the important conversations.

The REOMAC Annual Summit & Expo was held in Palm Springs, CA.