Page 8 – Safeguard Properties

Casper Declares War on ‘Dangerous’ Run-Down and Neglected Properties

Posted on May 2, 2024 by Safeguard

One Community Update
April 26, 2024

Drug houses, abandoned properties and eyesores the city has tagged as “dangerous” are in the crosshairs of the city for rehab or removal.

City Manager Carter Napier and Chief Building Official Justin Scott both informed the Casper City Council this week that progress is being made to remedy neighborhood concerns as “dangerous buildings” are identified.

“We have been anxiously aware of properties that have gone a long time without any attention and, as a result, have become public safety hazards,” Napier said. “With regard to that concern, as well as with respect to complaints we get from neighbors that are adjacent to these properties, I am real happy to say that we have made a lot of progress.”

Napier said public safety calls typically give police and fire agencies a heads up about the need to investigate structures as dangerous, but the city also receives calls from neighbors about “nefarious activities” that happen at those run-down and neglected properties.

“From my perspective, the opportunity to get these properties either removed, renovated or otherwise dealt with in a very proactive manner has been just a very welcome development,” he said.

For full report, please click the source link above.

Fitchburg Vacant Property Registration Requirement Now Live

Posted on May 2, 2024 by Safeguard

One Community Update
April 30, 2024

Source: Worcester Business Journal

Two years after members of the Fitchburg City Council voted to approve the creation of a Vacant Property Registry, the system is now live.

The registry, designed to help the City tackle the issue of blighted, disused, and abandoned properties, is the result of more than a decade worth of work from the City’s Problem Property Task Force, according to a press release issued by the City on April 22 posted to the website of the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce.

The City cited the potential hazards posed by abandoned properties and the impact they have on abutter property values as justification for the registry requirement.

“The City understands sometimes it is unavoidable for a property to be vacant for a period of time,” the City press release reads. “However, for those owners who have held vacant property in Fitchburg for many years, it’s time for them to either develop the property and get it occupied, or sell to someone who will develop the property. In this era of housing shortage and rising housing costs throughout the commonwealth, now is the time for action – and Fitchburg can be a part of the solution.”

The Fitchburg City Council approved the vacant property registration ordinance in April 2022 by a vote of 8-2, according to council meeting minutes. The ordinance requires the owners of any residential or commercial properties 100% vacant, abandoned, or foreclosed, to register their properties through the City’s website.

Owners will have to pay $100 to register their properties, with the annual renewal fee escalating to $250 for the first renewal, $2500 for the second, and $3,500 for the third year and every year after that. Failure to pay fees will result in a municipal lien being placed on the property.

Detached single-family homes actively being marketed for sale are exempt from the registration requirement, as are properties being developed for affordable housing under certain circumstances, such as buildings owned by a nonprofit community development corporation.

For full report, please click the source link above.

New Maryland Bill Gives Baltimore Leaders New Tool to Fight Vacant Property Crisis

Posted on May 2, 2024 by Safeguard

One Community Update
May 1, 2024

Source: CBS News

Baltimore City has a new tool to fight the vacant property crisis by being allowed to foreclose on more vacant homes.

A Maryland bill signed by Gov. Wes Moore allows local jurisdictions to tax vacant properties at a higher tax rate.

“It’s dangerous for the community. It’s dangerous for the kids,” East Baltimore resident Rayshawn Davis said.

Davis showed WJZ a building on North Avenue that had been vacant for 12 years.

“You can see around us, there’s a lot of vacants,” Davis said. “I’m afraid for my home with this bad house sitting here, you know? And, there’s a lot more of them around here just like it.”

Lawmakers say they don’t expect anyone will pay any increased tax, so instead, it will allow the city to take possession of more properties through the “in rem” foreclosure process, which allows the city to acquire properties where the value of the liens exceed the value of the property.

Currently, the city owns less than 900 vacant buildings.

Vacant properties still plague Baltimore, although we’ve seen a nearly 20% drop in vacant building notices in the past five years.

“It’s better for someone to come and fix them up,” East Baltimore resident Rock Benny said.

The bill goes into effect on June 1.

The city council is also weighing a series of bills that would increase fees and penalties on vacant property owners for things like nuisance abatement to emergency response calls.

For full report, please click the source link above.

FEMA Major Disaster Declaration – Oklahoma Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding

Posted on May 1, 2024June 14, 2024 by Safeguard

FEMA Alert
April 30, 2024

***LAST UPDATED 6/14/24***

FEMA has issued a Major Disaster Declaration for the state of Oklahoma to supplement state, tribal, and local recovery efforts in areas affected by severe storms, straight-line winds, tornadoes, and flooding beginning April 25, 2024 and continuing. The following counties have been approved for assistance:

Individual Assistance:

Carter
Craig
Hughes
Johnston
Kay
Lincoln
Love
McClain
Murray
Nowata
Okfuskee
Okmulgee
Osage
Ottawa
Pontotoc
Pottawatomie
Washington
Washita

Public Assistance:

Carter
Coal
Cotton
Haskell
Hughes
Johnston
Kay
Love
Murray
Okfuskee
Okmulgee
Osage
Pittsburg
Pontotoc
Seminole
Tillman
Wagoner
Washington
Washita

Oklahoma Severe Storms, Straight-line Winds, Tornadoes, and Flooding (DR-4776-OK)

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Major Disaster Declaration in Oklahoma

Map of Affected Areas

List of Affected Zip Codes

Additional Resources

FEMA’s web site

FEMA’s Disaster Declaration Process

Safeguard Properties Industry Alerts

HUD Moratorium on Foreclosure

VA’s Policy Regarding Natural Disasters

Freddie Mac Disaster Relief Policies

Fannie Mae’s Natural Disaster Relief Policies

CoreLogic: US Mortgage Delinquency, Foreclosure Rates Hover Near Historic Lows in February

Posted on April 29, 2024 by Safeguard

Industry Update
April 25, 2024

Source: CoreLogic

CoreLogic®, a leading global property information, analytics and data-enabled solutions provider, today released its monthly Loan Performance Insights Report for February 2024.

In February 2024, 2.8% of all mortgages in the U.S. were in some stage of delinquency (30 days or more past due, including those in foreclosure), down year-over-year from February 2023 and unchanged month over month from January 2024.

To gain a complete view of the mortgage market and loan performance health, CoreLogic examines all stages of delinquencies. In February 2024, the U.S. delinquency and transition rates and their year-over-year changes, were as follows:

Early-Stage Delinquencies (30 to 59 days past due): 1.5%, up from 1.4% in February 2023.

Adverse Delinquency (60 to 89 days past due): 0.4%, unchanged from February 2023.

Serious Delinquency (90 days or more past due, including loans in foreclosure): 0.9%, down from 1.2% in February 2023 and from a high of 4.3% in August 2020.

Foreclosure Inventory Rate (the share of mortgages in some stage of the foreclosure process): 0.3%, unchanged from February 2023.

Transition Rate (the share of mortgages that transitioned from current to 30 days past due): 0.7%, unchanged from February 2023.

For full report, please click the source link above.

FEMA Major Disaster Declaration – Washington Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides

Posted on April 29, 2024April 30, 2024 by Safeguard

FEMA Alert
April 28, 2024

FEMA has issued a Major Disaster Declaration for the state of Washington to supplement state, tribal, and local recovery efforts in areas affected by severe winter storms, straight-line winds, flooding, landslides and mudslides from January 5-29, 2024. The following counties have been approved for assistance:

Public Assistance:

Clallam
Clark
Colville Indian Reservation
Cowlitz
Ferry
Grays Harbor
Island
Jefferson
King
Klickitat
Lewis
Mason
Okanogan
Pacific
Skagit
Skamania
Wahkiakum

Washington Severe Winter Storms, Straight-line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, and Mudslides (DR-4775-WA)

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Disaster Declaration for Washington

Map of Affected Areas

List of Affected Zip Codes

Additional Resources

FEMA’s web site

FEMA’s Disaster Declaration Process

Safeguard Properties Industry Alerts

HUD Moratorium on Foreclosure

VA’s Policy Regarding Natural Disasters

Freddie Mac Disaster Relief Policies

Fannie Mae’s Natural Disaster Relief Policies

FEMA Major Disaster Declaration – Kansas Severe Winter Storm

Posted on April 29, 2024July 8, 2024 by Safeguard

FEMA Alert
April 28, 2024

***LAST UPDATED: 7/8/24***

FEMA has issued a Major Disaster Declaration for the state of Kansas to supplement state, tribal, and local recovery efforts in areas affected by a severe winter storm from January 8-16, 2024. The following counties have been approved for assistance:

Public Assistance:

Butler
Chase
Cloud
Edwards
Ford
Geary
Gray
Hodgeman
Marion
Morris
Osage
Ottawa
Pawnee
Shawnee
Stafford
Trego
Wabaunsee

Kansas Severe Winter Storm (DR-4774-KS)

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Approves Disaster Declaration for Kansas

Map of Affected Areas

List of Affected Zip Codes

Additional Resources

FEMA’s web site

FEMA’s Disaster Declaration Process

Safeguard Properties Industry Alerts

HUD Moratorium on Foreclosure

VA’s Policy Regarding Natural Disasters

Freddie Mac Disaster Relief Policies

Fannie Mae’s Natural Disaster Relief Policies

66 Groups to Maintain 3,500 Vacant Properties 2024

Posted on April 26, 2024April 26, 2024 by Safeguard

One Community Update
April 19, 2024

Source: The Flint Courier News

The Genesee County Land Bank Authority is set to kick off the 20th season of Clean & Green this Saturday! Each year community groups work together to combat blight across the city of Flint, cleaning and clearing thousands of vacant properties each season. Countless stories over the years have really shown the positive impacts that Clean & Green work has within neighborhoods. Neighborhoods today feel safe, warm and inviting when years ago they were overgrown and unmaintained.

This year, from April to September, 66 community-based groups will clean and green 3,500 vacant properties in and around the City of Flint every three weeks. Block-clubs, schools, churches, neighborhood associations, and local non-profits are some of the 66 community-based groups participating in the 2024 Clean & Green program.

Each group receives a stipend for maintaining at least 25 properties every three weeks. Six new groups were selected to participate this season and 60 returning groups. Most of the groups include neighborhood youth, who then create change in their own neighborhoods.

Community groups will receive their materials for the program this Saturday April 20, 2024 at an in person material distribution event. Groups will receive Clean & Green T-shirts, custom yard signs, trash grabbers, program guides and service area maps to assist in their cleaning and greening work.

Clean & Green will officially kick off the season at their digital kick-off event via Zoom on Friday, April 26, 2024. Representatives from each of the Clean & Green groups will gather together virtually to review program information, guidelines and resources.

Residents can anticipate seeing an impact as Clean Green volunteers clean, clear and beautify neighborhoods across the city of Flint. Groups often start with an area wide clean up to prep for regular mowing. Residents are encouraged to connect with local Clean & Green volunteers to support the fight against blight efforts.

Clean & Green work has positive ripple effects within the neighborhoods they work in. making them safer. According to research by the University of Michigan, Youth Violence Prevention Center, Clean & Green maintenance significantly reduces crime. Clean & Green engaged areas compared to street segments with vacant, abandoned lots without Clean & Green activities have: 30 percent fewer assaults, 40 percent fewer violent crimes overall, lower rates of child maltreatment and lower rates of youth gun violence.

For full report, please click the source link above.

Proposed Seattle Vacant Building Demolition Bill Could Cost City Up to $500K

Posted on April 26, 2024 by Safeguard

One Community Update
April 24, 2024

Source: The Gazette

An emergency bill to allow the Seattle Fire Department to conduct demolition of unsafe vacant buildings in Seattle would cost the city up to $500,000 this year before potential reimbursements.

The emergency legislation was proposed by Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell on Thursday. The Seattle Public Safety Committee was briefed on the proposed bill on Tuesday.

Harrell’s emergency legislation comes as a result of the number of fires in vacant buildings surging in recent years. According to Harrell’s office, there were 77 vacant building fires in 2021, 91 in 2022, and 130 in 2023. Three of the 130 fires were deadly.

Through April 15, there have been 30 fires in vacant buildings in 2024.

According to a fiscal note, the city would have to develop a blanket contract with several vendors if the bill is passed and the city fire code is amended. The costs associated could range from $350,000 to $500,000 this year.

According to Seattle Fire Chief Harold Scoggins, the legislation would push owners of the vacant properties to comply with the city’s fire code, and reimburse the city for the associated expenditures. Scoggins noted that some property owners fail to comply with the city.

“It is our hope that this legislation will help property owners come into compliance, but we are realists also because we have been managing this challenge for quite a while,” Scoggins said at the committee meeting. “We do have some properties that we just don’t hear from.”

If property owners do not pay for the costs associated with demolition, the city will place a title lien on the property to cover abatement work costs, which can vary significantly depending on the size of the building, degree of damage, the presence of asbestos and other conditions.

According to a fiscal note, revenues may not be received in the same fiscal year as expenditures occur, and could require multi-year support for the bill until reimbursement is received.

“There is not currently a guarantee of financial recovery,” the fiscal note states.

Vacant buildings that do not meet city standards or are in the development process currently get placed in a vacant building monitoring program. If the city cleans up or closes a property on behalf of the property owner, they are billed for the costs. Fees for monitoring vacant buildings range from $271.85 to $542.60 per month, depending on condition.

For full report, please click the source link above.

Ginnie Mae President Alanna McCargo Announces Resignation

Posted on April 23, 2024 by Safeguard

Industry Update
April 19, 2024

Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced that Alanna McCargo, President of the Government National Mortgage Association (Ginnie Mae) will resign, effective May 3, 2024.

McCargo has served in the Biden-Harris Administration since January 2021, first as Senior Advisor for Housing Finance in the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for former Secretary Marcia L. Fudge and later nominated by President Biden to lead Ginnie Mae. McCargo’s confirmation, with bipartisan support by the U.S. Senate, made history as she became the first woman and woman of color at the helm of the government corporation.

Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman shared her gratitude for McCargo’s service and leadership. “I thank President McCargo for her service to our country and at HUD. In her time at the agency, she has been a zealous advocate for housing affordability and ensuring a more equitable housing finance system. As President of Ginnie Mae, Alanna has helped expand Ginnie Mae’s reach in serving historically underserved communities and has been a champion for advancing market-driven initiatives that support mortgage programs across the government,” said HUD Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman. “It has been a joy to work with President McCargo. I am proud to say that she has left Ginnie Mae stronger than when she arrived, and her tenure sets a high standard for servant leadership.”

“The past 3.5 years in public service with the Biden-Harris Administration has been the most important and fulfilling work of my 25-year career in housing finance and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve my country and advance a bold housing agenda across the globe as President of Ginnie Mae. I am incredibly proud of what we have accomplished together and grateful for the housing leadership this Administration and agency have demonstrated since our first day in office. This has been a deeply personal decision to return to private life,” Ginnie Mae President Alanna McCargo said in a statement.

“I am most proud of the team of career public servants at Ginnie Mae that I have had the privilege of working alongside since my confirmation. The talent, commitment, and dedication of the Ginnie Mae team is breathtaking, and the enormity of responsibility they carry out each day in our complex $2.5 Trillion guarantee business is remarkable. I am pleased with the progress and accomplishments Ginnie Mae has achieved during my tenure, the precision with which the team executes on our obligations and authorities, and the groundwork that we have laid for Ginnie Mae to grow and build the capacity needed to meet its crucial affordable housing and capital markets mission on behalf of the United States Government.” she said.

Principal Executive Vice President (PEVP) Sam Valverde will serve as Acting President upon President McCargo’s departure. He has served with McCargo for the past 2 years leading the agency through numerous critical initiatives and has spearheaded work in the global investment community to expand the value proposition of Ginnie Mae’s mortgage-backed securities program.

For full report, please click the source link above.