AURORA — About a quarter of Aurora’s vacant foreclosed homes have been registered with the city in a new program to ensure that the homes don’t become blights and eyesores.
Nancy Sheffield, director of neighborhood services, said about 230 of the estimated 900 to 1,000 foreclosed homes are registered.
Banks and holders of foreclosed homes that didn’t register will receive letters giving them 30 days to do so. If they still don’t register the homes, they will be fined $150 every 90 days until they register or the home is sold.
“We put the burden back on the lenders who have titles to all these homes,” Sheffield said.
In the meantime, Aurora code-enforcement officers are checking on the registered homes, making sure they are maintained.
If not, the city will mow the lawns, haul away debris and perform other maintenance and charge the lenders for those services.
City Councilwoman Deborah Wallace said complaints by residents concerned about broken windows, weeds and other maintenance issues got the city’s attention.
“You have to do something,” Wallace said. “Residents were telling us the vacant properties were bringing down their property values and the perception of their neighborhoods.”
The new ordinance, which took effect April 4, is part of a broader effort by the city. It is refurbishing two homes under a $4.5 million federal program designed to help foreclosure-blighted neighborhoods.
Aurora has purchased 23 more homes and plans to fix them up and sell them to low- to moderate-income buyers at no profit.
The city of Denver last week announced its Neighborhood Stabilization program for similar work in Montbello, Green Valley Ranch, Northeast Park Hill, Elyria/Swansea, West Colfax, Villa Park, Barnum, Athmar Park, Westwood and Mar Lee.
Carlos Illescas: 303-954-1175 or cillescas@denverpost.com
