Baldwin County, GA created a more enforceable and compassionate Blight Reduction Program
Baldwin County, GA Blight Reduction Program
Baldwin County created a Blight Reduction Program sending code enforcement letters to owners of condemned properties which contained specific instructions and outlined the penalty for noncompliance. The homeowner had 30 days to start making progress on compliance without any penalty. As an incentive the county lowered the demolition permit fee from $100 to $10, allowed owners to “cluster” multiple demolitions into a single fee, and recommended private demolition companies with affordable rates.
Newsworthy
2021 Community Health & Safety Award: 10,000-49,999 Population | icma.org
Blight Reduction Program Baldwin County, Georgia Carlos Francisco Tobar, ICMA-CM, County Manager In January 2018 Baldwin County, Georgia, had more than 300 properties on record that were dilapidated, abandoned, and unsafe for living. These properties were lowering neighborhood property values, depressing the local housing market, attracting illegal drug activity and squatters, and negatively affecting community health and safety.
Baldwin Co. earns national honors for two programs | News | unionrecorder.com
Baldwin County has earned national recognition for its Blight Reduction Program, as well as its Animal Adoption/Rescue Program.
Project Succeeded
The Blight Reduction Program was enforceable and successful in motivating homeowners to demolish or renovate their dilapidated properties without the county having to take legal action. As a result of the program, 164 residential and commercial properties were demolished in twenty-seven months. Baldwin County received the ICMA's 2021 Community Health & Safety Award for Excellence.
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