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Patricia E. De�lercq Director Jack A. Mathews mmi Building Co sioner To: From: Re: CITY of SOUTH BEND ROGER O. PARENT, Mayor COUNTY-CITY BUILDING SOUTH BEND, INDIANA 46601 DEPARTMENT OF CODE ENFORCEMENT December 9,1987 Members of the Redevelopment Commission 219/284 -9486 219/284 -9325 Patricia E. DeClercq, Director, Department of Code Enforcement Report /Procedure With Regard to Demolition of Unsafe Structures The Department of Code Enforcement has the responsibility through its inspection procedures to ensure that properties in South Bend are maintained in compliance with the Existing Structures Code of the State of Indiana. Preservation of the existing housing stock is a priority for this Department. However, we must be concerned with the negative effect a substandard property has on the surrounding neighborhood, a home owner's financial ability to make the necessary repairs and the requirement that the structure must be mainta'ned in a safe and sanitary condition. Code Enforcement Inspectors spend a significant amount of time discussing rehabilitation plans with the property owner, encouraging completion of repairs in a workmanlike and timely manner, making owners aware of financial assistance that may be available to them and attending neighborhood meetings to address the concern of the residents regarding actions which are or can be taken to bring problem properties up to Code. Approximately 75% of the properties that come to the attention of the Department of Code Enforcement for housing code violations are rental properties. Many of the City's older houses are non -owner occupied p operties. The s ructures which were demolished in 1987 were badly damaged by fire, were properties which the owner agreed were beyond repair or ere abandoned by the owner for three or more years and victims of vandalism.