Elmira approves “Fight on Blight” resolution for worst landlords & zombie homes
ELMIRA, N.Y. (WETM) – In a 5 to 1 vote, the Elmira City Council approved a “Fight on Blight” housing resolution on Monday night. The three-step plan includes publishing a monthly list identifying the city’s worst landlords who fail to address code violations, strengthening efforts to put abandoned “zombie homes” back on the market, and building new “infill housing” at the site of empty lots or unused land.
The resolution is a bipartisan effort being led by republican Mayor Mandell and democrat councilmember Gary Brinn, who was recently elected to represent the city’s Fourth District. Councilmembers Jackie Wilson, Nanette Moss and Joe Duffy joined Mayor Mandell and councilmember Brinn in voting in favor of the resolution. First District councilmember Nick Grasso voted against it. Second District councilmember Corey Cooke was absent.
Earlier in the afternoon, Mayor Mandell and Councilmember Brinn held a press conference in front of an abandoned home on the corner of First Street and College Avenue. The city says the home has been boarded up for nearly a decade, and was recently sold to a new owner.
“What we’ve coined this is, the City of Elmira’s fight against blight,” said Mayor Mandell. Tonight’s city council meeting we will consider a resolution focusing on our worst landlords, as part of a much wider focus on the city’s housing. Housing is both a quality-of-life issue and a fiscal issue, as residential property taxes make up a significant portion of our revenue.”
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The city says a 2023 Chemung County Housing Market Study found 44.85% of the more than 10,000 homes in Elmira are occupied by renters. The study says Elmira has more than 3,000 low-income households. 1,490 households spend more than half of their income on rent. The city says renters often complain about poor and sometimes unsafe conditions.
“While landlords can request references and check credit scores, prospective tenants may know little about the landlord or property management company,” said councilmember Brinn. “Tonight’s legislation will mark one small step in correcting that particular imbalance.”
The resolution calls for publishing a monthly list of rental properties that fail to address code violations in a timely manner, are not properly registered or have refused inspections. The city says landlords can currently be fined up to $250 for each code violation.
“That list will include information on ownership and property management, possibly including the name and addresses of participants in Limited Liability Corporations,” said Brinn. “This will include a special section listing owners and property management companies that through their negligence cause tenants to lose their homes.”
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“We know that some landlords and property managers create unsafe conditions to force out problem tenants. Don’t do it. We are happy to work with landlords to address problem tenancy. If you contribute to homelessness, you will remain on this worst of the worst list for a year,” Brinn added.
The city says 14,72% of homes in Elmira are vacant. Mayor Mandell says another part of the plan is putting so-called “zombie homes” back on the market.
“Elmira has some very nice homes and some very nice neighborhoods. But we also have hundreds of vacant properties. Some qualify as zombie properties under New York State statute. We have many properties that are burned out and boarded up, and empty lots in residential neighborhoods where homes once stood.”
New York State says “Zombie properties are homes that the homeowner has abandoned, typically in the face of a foreclosure action. With no occupant to perform basic maintenance, these homes can fall into a state of serious disrepair.”
Mayor Mandell says the overwhelming majority of zombie properties in Elmira are in the hands of banks, holding companies and “long-distance speculators.”
“We have already met with representatives from the City of Albany, a city that has been successful in this area,” said Mayor Mandell. “Dramatic increases in enforcement and penalties for neglected zombie homes, have led to significant financial settlements.”
The third part of the plan calls for building new homes at the site of empty lots or unused land, known as “infill housing.”
“Our final focus area may be the most challenging,” said councilmember Brinn. “While we cannot reduce the material cost of construction, we can reduce expenses related to the approval process. We will pursue a series of approximately 6 different pre-approved designs that will fit the character of most Elmira neighborhoods. We will prioritize what is known as the missing middle: 2-to-6-unit properties with some units specifically designed for our aging population.”
You can read the full resolution on the City of Elmira website.
You can also watch the full press conference below:
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