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GGD-78-35 1 (1978-02-22)

handle is hein.gao/gaobaawst0001 and id is 1 raw text is: LICU5MV T RESUNS 05126 - [B05 i ,661 The District of Columbia Weeds a Program To Idetify Vacant Louses and Get Them Back on the Market. GGD-78-35; B-118638. Pebruar7 22, 1978. 24 ,. + 2 appendices (12 pp.). Report to Ya1ter E. Iashington, Rayor, v.ztrict of Coluabia; by Victor L. Lowe, Director, General Government Div. Issue Area: Domestic Housig and Community Development: Asr: .sting Urban Communities to Prevent and Eliminate Blight and Deterioration t2102). Contact: General Government Div. Budoet Function: Commxnty &La Regional Development: CommuDity Development (4151). organization concerned: District of Cclumbia: Dept. of Eavironmental Services; District of Coluntia: Dept. cf Housing and Covmunity Deve7.opent. Couressional Relevaace: House Committee on District of Columbia; Sendte Comittee on Govexnmental Affairs. authority: (97 Star. * 4; District oi Coiumbia Self Government and Governmental Ieorganiration Act; P.L. S3-196). D.C. Revenue Act of 1975 (P.L. 93-407). D.C. Code 5-622. VacaLt houses represeL,. a serious problem in the midst of a housing shortage in the District of Columsia. Although tue Districi has been tAlkirq about vacant housing for a long time, it has done little to return such housing to the real estate market. The principal reasons are that the District had neither: complete and accurate data on the number, location, and physical condition of vacant houses; a system to d-velop sue!, information; nor a specific program tc return such vacant houses to use. Findinqs/Conclusons: A program to deal with vacant housing in the Dis~rict muzt establish a vacant house inventory system to ascertain, on a continu!ng basis, the numter, location, and -ondition of such hcusing. The Department of Envi'onmontal Services (DES) can identify vacant houses through its mater meter records and meter reading ataff. There is no limit on how long a house can remain vacant and ofx the market, and !he District can take no action against the owner of a vacant house as long as the owner pays property taxes and complies with Lousinq ordinances. Returning vacant houses to use is a complex and d'fficult problem to resolve. The District is pursuing several appreches, including providing lists of vacant housing to prospective bu~ers, using Ccmmunity Developrent Block Grant funds to zrthabilitate vacant houses, aud selling tax delinouent property to encourage home cwnexship. Recommendations: The District should develep a specific program to identify and return vacant housing to use. This program should ir'Lade: initiating procedures to idc'ntify vacant housing as part of zte DES's proposed meter reading %ni billing system. providing updated lists of locations and ooane.s of vacant houses to prospective buyers, contacting vacant house:6 owners to find

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