No. 2383 contracting the boundaries of the West Washington-Chapin Development Area

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second would require an ongoing monitoring of loans made within the area, in accordance with the provisions of the Community Reinvestment Act. Members of WWCRP could be • trained in evaluation techniques. o Neighborhood Clean-ups and Property Maintenance A neighborhood clean-up and property maintenance program has been initiated through the community organization and participation process, and should be continued on a regular basis. Clean-up efforts should be matched by assistance from the City of South Bend, local institutions and businesses, and private benefactors to remove trash and debris from vacant lots, get barren areas sodded and/or seeded, cut weeds, remove junk cars, repair and paint damaged fences, encourage landscaping, etc. 'The clean-up and maintenance program should be established as an ongoing activity designed to improve the image and appearance of the area, and to promote community pride and participation. Housing o Maintain Sound Housing Continued high level of maintenance of basically sound buildings is required to stabilize residential property values and to prevent the creation or spread of deterioration. The City should develop a targeted code enforcement program to address problem properties and owners. o Market Vacant Buildings • Housing abandonment and demolition has resulted in the loss of a substantial number of residential buildings in the past. The extent to which this trend can be stopped and reversed will affect the potential for revitalization of the neighborhood and the amount of time required to return the area to a long-term sound condition. Every effort should be made to protect existing vacant buildings from further deterioration, and to market these properties for rehabilitation and re-use. Vacant buildings that are seriously deteriorated and represent a threat to health and safety should be demolished. o Rehabilitate Deteriorating Buildings Existing housing rehabilitation efforts should be continued and intensified to upgrade existing buildings to a long-term sound condition and to improve the living conditions residing in the area. As previously noted, recent surveys indicate that approximately 450 residential buildings are in need of minor or major rehabilitation. Many of the buildings are owned and occupied by low- and moderate-income households with limited ability to finance needed home improvements. The low value of buildings, together with the high cost of rehabilitation presents financial feasibility questions in many cases. o Market Vacant Sites for New Housing New housing on vacated parcels is needed to augment the supply of housing available to low- and moderate-income families, to restore the continuity of residential frontages, and to strengthen the appearance and quality of the area as a complete neighborhood. It is a 27