Neighbors say foreclosure extensions leave blight, safety and health problems

At public comment, neighbors described long-running hazards at properties the council had recently considered for foreclosure action. Karen Hogue, who lives across the street from 855 Northeast Church Street, said the council's extension of foreclosure relief for the owner left neighbors living with rats, flies, uncovered roof tarps and evidence of hoarding and human-related hazards. "You are not told that the guy enlisted to fix the house... tore off the roof and put plastic on, scraped the wood siding and left it bare," Hogue said, adding that neighbors had not been given full documentation before the extension.