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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Grant will build life jacket loaner stations ... Union Park assailant will spend no more time in jail ... Jordan Cove EIS due out Wednesday ... Grant will build life jacket loaner stations ... Union Park assailant will spend no more time in jail ... Jordan Cove EIS due out Wednesday ... OUR VIEW Our View: Past time to deal with derelict houses Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Aug. 28, 2015 at 12:01 AM Posted Aug. 28, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News Cities across the country are faced with difficult situations in dealing with vacant, derelict homes. While the obvious answer would seem to be to penalize the owner, it's often not that simple. But there are actions officials can take to protect residents and neighborhoods from the very real threat posed by these homes. The city of Medford is all too familiar with the issue, with dozens of these homes within its boundaries. Some were abandoned as the result of foreclosure, some because of fire or criminal activity, some because of poverty. Whatever the reason, the city says it now knows of 42 houses that are vacant and deteriorating. The City Council discussed the problem earlier this year and directed the various city departments involved to come back with a report this fall. That report is unlikely to contain the silver bullet that will rid neighborhoods of the blight. The city can try to issue penalties, but the owner of record may in fact be the family kicked out by foreclosure proceedings. Or it may be controlled by a bank or mortgage lending company that is sitting on the property, perfectly content to be collecting mortgage insurance following a foreclosure or bankruptcy. A blighted home may be owned by an elderly or impoverished couple who have no financial ability to make the necessary improvements. Those excuses do little to placate neighbors, who often see the abandoned properties become shelters for transients or drug users with little respect for the law or basic sanitation. Why, they ask — with reason — would the city spend millions to improve its appearance through such programs as urban renewal and then stand by while neighborhoods rot from within? Again, there is no simple solution and the city does deserve some credit for trying to find answers. We don't know what those answers will be, but it seems there could be some simple measures that might not be cure-alls, but would provides some relief to beleaguered homeowners. First, and the most simple: Identify the derelict properties and ensure that someone from the city visits each of them at least once a week. Among the city's current requirements for such buildings is that they must be boarded up to prevent access by children and "unauthorized people." If they are checked weekly, it would be a simple matter to walk quickly around the building and ensure they are meeting that rule. If not, there would be reason to believe someone is trespassing and action should be taken promptly to remove them. Second, an improvement plan should be developed with the property owner. It could be adjusted to fit the abilities of that owner, but it should be enforced. If the conditions are not met, condemnation notices should be filed and, as a last resort, the property torn down. That might get the attention of even the neglectful mortgage holders. Third, the names of the property owners should be publicly posted and distributed. That might not humble distant mortgage holders, but it could get their attention, and it would likely cause at least a twinge for any local owners. We're sure the city departments have other, and quite likely, better, ideas. But the one thing that can't be allowed is to do nothing at all. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Aug. 28, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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