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Resident says Akron demolitions have increased homelessness, cites demolition spending
Summary
A resident told Akron City Council that recent demolitions displaced dozens of people and alleged promised assistance and compensation were not provided; she cited demolition counts and dollar figures.
Raina Ward told Akron City Council she and neighbors were forced out of a building at 1431 South Main with short notice and said promised city assistance did not materialize.
Ward said the city has “demolished 88 structures in the first 119 days of this year” and later discussed a target figure for the year and spending she attributed to demolition work. She said the city paid “$12,000,000” to demolish structures and that $550,000 was used for the demolition of Smith Elementary School. Ward said residents received little immediate help; she described residents with health needs who she said suffered after being forced out and said the city had approved a $380,000,000 budget.
"We have people that suffered health issues. One woman had just been released from the hospital, had to return to the hospital. A stroke," Ward said, also saying a heart patient was not allowed to plug in medical equipment during eviction.
Nut graf: Ward used the public comment period to raise concerns about the human impacts of demolition and to ask the council to explain how promised support and city spending were handled. Her remarks were not followed in the meeting by a council response or a formal referral during the same session.
The council did not take immediate action connected to Ward’s statement during the meeting. Ward said local groups such as United Way had begun outreach but said the response was slow.
