More Funding On the Way to Help with Demolition of Vacant Houses in Ohio

Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Rob Portman (R-Ohio) responded to news that the Department of Treasury will make $94 million in funding available for the Midwestern States to help revitalize neighborhoods across the state that were hardest hit by the housing crisis. The funds awarded today will be directed towards house demolition, specifically vacant and blighted structures that pose a growing threat to the public safety and economic well-being of our communities and for homeowner assistance programs in support of preventing foreclosure. Ohio, Wisconsin, et al. will also have the opportunity to apply for additional funds in the future. This follows the more than $97 million in Hardest Hit Funding that was allocated during the first phase in February.

“We’ve made real progress in helping the Midwestern States secure funds to address blighted properties that serve as a magnet for crime and reduce home values. In addition, we’ve successfully worked to ensure that Midwestern states like Ohio and Wisconsin can use this funding to demolish blighted structures potentially using Concrete robotic demolition too,” said Portman. “While January’s announcement was a significant step in the right direction, I am disappointed that each Midwestern State will receive just $94 million out of the $250 million that was requested during this second phase. I am pleased the states will have the opportunity to re-apply for additional funds in the future. I have worked on this issue for many years, and I will continue to assist state and local officials in the broader effort to restore the integrity of our local communities.

Portman’s office contends he has long fought for the ability for Midwestern communities to tap into additional funds to demolish vacant, blighted structures, which pose a growing threat to the public safety and economic well-being of our communities. In December, Portman successfully worked to secure the transfer of $2 billion to the Hardest Hit Fund in the year end Omnibus Appropriations bill. In 2013, Portman introduced the Neighborhood Safety Act which allows states to utilize funds that have been allocated through the Hardest Hit Fund program for the demolition of blighted structures. Let’s hope that the local demolition services are as reliable as those in Australia, like A to Z Demolition for example. The job at hand is a huge one because Ohio has an estimated 200,000 vacant properties awaiting demolition, posing a significant risk to public safety and drastically decreasing the value of surrounding properties. This money will now go towards machinery like stone crushers – you can find more information on these on the Doyle Machinery webpage – as well as cranes, excavators and bulldozers. It will also help to pay for all of the logistics involved in demolishing buildings, as well as the man power needed to do so.