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Council, residents discuss housing rehabilitation and possible abatement of derelict properties
Summary
Residents urged housing rehabilitation and cleanup of derelict lots; SEAGO explained slum/blight criteria and owner‑occupied rehab eligibility, and the Mayor/Manager discussed existing municipal liens and legal limits on using grant funds to benefit private owners.
Speakers suggested owner‑occupied rehabilitation, additional low‑income housing and addressing derelict private lots that create neighborhood blight. SEAGO’s William Osborne described CDBG slum and blight rules — area‑wide or spot abatement requires statutory criteria and documentation — and said owner‑occupied rehabilitation can be a viable Colonias or regional‑account activity if income‑qualified beneficiary lists are in place.
Mayor Wallace and Town Manager Suzanne Harvey discussed prior municipal abatements and liens on private property and cautioned that using federal grant funds to clean privately owned lots may benefit private owners unless the Town couples acquisition or clear public purpose (for example a future park or affordable housing) with any abatement. Osborne suggested documenting a clear project plan and beneficiary list to avoid improper use of funds.
