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Code enforcement a contentious issue
The Richmond Voice has the story of area resident Rosalene Bullock and her experiences with being cited by the city for code violations at her property. Cited for “having trash in her yard, garage roof deterioration, and exterior housing damages”, Bullock was allegedly given 5 weeks to make the repairs to her garage and house (in which she is living) or see the structures demolished.
In their signature style, the Voice article first simplifies a complex issue and then throws in a dash of racist paranoia by implying that city is acting in collusion with investors to push people out of “their Black low-income neighborhoods”. It seems, though, what is happening is mix of friction from changing expectations in some areas, a more aggressive approach by the city to actually enforce the code, and the real possibility that someone has made a mistake.
Under-enforcement of the code over the years has resulted in many properties that are bad shape and would be very costly to bring up to code. It sounds like this is part of what has put Ms.Bullock in a bind, at least as much the attention of other residents that do not want a neighborhood where collapsing garages and yards strewn with trash are the norm.
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From the street, though, Ms.Bullock’s house is not at all the eyesore that would warrant demolition (as came up in discussion when the list of houses was first published back in May).
It is a shame when low-income residents face losing their homes when they are unable to maintain them. It is also not desirable to allow properties to deteriorate to the point that they have a negative impact on surrounding community. What is the solution to this?
There are 10 different inspection zones in the 1st Precinct. Here is a map of the zones; the contact info for each inspector is listed below.
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I’ve taken pics of each of the houses on that list. This house I was shocked to see on the list and wondered why. There are others in south Richmond that look nearly perfect. So I’m not the only person who picked up on the victim’s mentality/racist overtones in The Voice? I’m seeing it creep into the Free Press too. I’m black and I think it’s pitiful.
I can’t say I’ve seen that Free Press or the new Urban Views Weekly, except maybe in that whole Free Press/Ukrops thing. The Voice seems to consistently take it to another level.
I’ve seen abandoned buildings rot and sprout trees for most of my life coming through the gateway to Church Hill and the city has the audacity to threaten an old lady out of her sweet yellow house with rose vines. Richmond is not Palestine.
For years, my good friends living on Chimborazo Blvd complained to the city about the dilapidated empty collapsing house next door sending rats their way and even inquired about purchasing the property to have it demolished but nothing was ever accomplished.
Something is fishy regarding this woman’s house being on the demolition list.
If you can get past the first paragraph without closing the page. There is quite a nice article full of hearsay and allegedlies…but after picking through this obviously unedited story, it looks like the outbuilding is what is scheduled for demolition.
“Bullock was given until May 27 to fix the garage and the house or the city has the right to demolish the two structures.”
After exhaustive research I’ve determined it’s August. Allegedly the house is still standing.
I fail to see how this is a major issue.
Am I missing anything?
ps.
Gray, nicely veiled Israel bashing there…
As a fairly “new” resident in the city, what do those of you with more experience recommend when dealing with property adjacent to yours that has poison ivy as grass (which happens to grow over on to your property regardless of what you spray), multiple broken down vehicles, trash, etc? These things have lead to rats and other fun. Without getting into too much detail communication with the neighbors is not possible because of language barriers and the different hours kept. I have yet to involve the city only because my experience thus far with other matters has led to no action.
I hope the matter above is resolved because it seems quite absurd; however, I saw this as an opportunity to inquire about real circumstances of property issues.
I called the city about a near property that had old cars on it. The cars need to have valid tags, and if they don’t, the city should take care of it. After checking back a few days later, the cars were gone.
My experience with the city is that it is hit or miss. Sometimes the job gets done with one call, sometimes not. I found the info on the city’s website, which sucks, too.
Oh, and don’t worry newbie, the matter above has only gotten started. It doesn’t take much taunting of Gray to get her going on a tear.
Regarding older or ill folks who are unable to maintain their homes – This topic made me start thinking about the concept of government programs to assist. I mean, in so many cases these people have already made lots of contributions to society, and deserve a little help.
Got me to wondering about exactly where the cash is spent in this city, so I started googling. Unless I am being blind, which could well be the case, this info does not seem to be readily available.
So, anybody know where a regular citizen might get his or her hands on a copy of the city budget? Doesn’t it seem like the City’s budget should be readily accessible?
It really seems like there must be some ridiculous stuff that could be cut out in order to give back to people who have done their share, and now have a need themselves.
Here is the General Fund:
http://www.ci.richmond.va.us/departments/budget/
I’m not too sure exactly how many “funds” there are…
There is also the demographics of the city.. had been looking all over for that and found it searching for this… awesome…
Wow! Thanks, mike!
To all of you, everything in the Voice was true. I am the one that, this happen too. I am not an old lady. I worked hard to up keep my property. I was living in between two abandon houses, in which weeds and tree limbs took over my house and yard. I have spent a lot of money, in which other people has cost me. Not taking care of thier property. I gone through a lot. They want me to sell and I am not selling. They have done a lot of bad things to me, but at the end of the day I will still, be standing. They did not gave me five weeks. They gave me two weeks. The city refused to give the building permit to fixed it. They are helping the other guys to force me out. They want my property.
You should look at the on Nine Mile between 28 and 29 St. Then you will understand. This has been, like this for many years.
Rosalene,
Are there things that neighbors can help you fix? If so, I would be willing to help you and I think others would too.
As a general rule, I’d rather see the city enforce these kinds of codes than not. That said, based on the photo, this house looks fine to me – nice even… Is the garage or some other area of the property in disrepair and thereby drawing the citation? Based on my (very limited) knowledge of this case (and the photo), the city’s actions do seem to raise some questions here.
In regards to the story in the Voice: I love Richmond, but my least favorite thing about this town is the way that the race card seems to get played in EVERY discussion about anything and everything. I know I’m not alone is saying, hey, it’s NOT always about race. There are a lot of folks in this town (of all colors, genders, and creeds) who want diversity – but who also want to see neighborhoods kept up and crime kept down. These things don’t have to be (should not be) mutually exclusive. We can have neighborhoods that are BOTH diverse AND warm, safe, inviting places to live work and play….
-MMF
PS – Just want to make clear that I am not saying that the homeowner is playing the race card in this particular case… just that, in general, this seems to be the context within which many Richmond conversations are sadly framed.
Honey bunny Rosalene,
Your house is pretty! But why would the city want the house? Are they planning on changing zoning or something?
It started on March 10th, when Liberty Tree Service cut down trees on the property next to mines. They most of the limbs was cut down in my yard. The lim
It started in March. The limbs that was not cut, was thrown in my yard,damaging my property and thing I had in my yard. The so called owner , came in good faith saying he will fixed everything that was damaged. He wanted me to do, what he wanted to do with my property and I refused. So, he asked to buy my house. I refused. I did know my house was damaged until they cut down a large tree limb that was pressing against my house. That damaged the soffix. Everything they said was wrong with house was not true. If you look at the photo, you have on this site, you will see the the house on the other side of me, the tree is covering my house. Causing a lot of damage. For forty- one years we cut those limbs of our property. we have spent a lot of money. That house is falling down in the backside facing me. Caused by that same tree. My garage was damaged at the same time. Kristin you are so kind. Thank- you, I need to find the people that live on the other side of me and get the City to give me the building permit that I have tried to get for two and half months. Mr Funky the codes should be enforced, if the same codes apply
applies for every one. We all should be treated equal
Rosalee – I agree with Kristin. Let us know if there is a way that we can help you, okay? If your house is getting water inside the siding or between window seams because of damaged soffits, we may have a problem that needs attention faster than the wheels of the bureaucracy can move. And if you need help finding the contact information for the folks that own the properties on either side I can assist you with that, too.
I would also be interested in more information about you seeking a permit to fix the issues at hand, and the hurdles that they are asking you to jump through. I know from personal experience that sometimes those hurdles feel pretty big, and maybe we can get through some of that red tape together. I’m not positive what I can do, personally, but I might be able to lend some assistance with the guys downtown. I’m certain that we can figure out some creative solutions if we put our collective minds to it.
Not sure if it’s appropriate to have a huge public discussion on a blog – not my personal info, so it’s really not my call. But please telephone me if you like – 484 0367.
And by the way – I apologize if I offended you with talking about programs for the elderly. My mother is really sick (not even that old, really) and I guess I was just thinking of her and others like her. If she didn’t have help with her house, it would be pretty bad, I’m sure. So I guess I was just thinking along those lines – that’s all.
OOps! I meant Rosalene. I’m a horrible typist, even with a spell check (Ha!) Sorry for dropping that letter in your name. No disrespect.
It seems like no one understands. I will keep you in mind Shannon, Thank-you. The old lady came from Gray. I see no water problems from the damage soffix. They are just trying to force me out. If I need your help , I will call you. It is good to know that someone cares.
By the way when you took the picture did you see any ‘Trash’ in my yard?
I’m sorry Rosalene for my assumption…I had applied McQuinn’s quote about the “elderly” to you. I’ll read more carefully next time.
Again your home and yard look very nice.
It would be interesting to know the names of the investors trying to push you out.
Rosalene, what street are you on? I feel like I’ve seen your house before, but can’t place it exactly. I’d like to walk over and take a look for myself at what the city is referring to as “code violations”.
Council person McQuinn should be able to help mediate this situation with you and the city inspectors. Has she been able to help you? Do try to get her involved if you can.
Keep us posted on your progress. Your house does look great from the photo above.
These are probably the same investors that put up those signs on utility poles around the neighborhood that say things like, “We Buy Houses” or We’ll Pay Cash For Your House.” Those signs are illegally placed and anyone, along with the utility company can take them down. These companies are predatory buyers and pray on the desperate (and unsuspecting) and will only give someone pennies on the dollar for their property.
A few years back I went around with a crowbar and took down about 70 of these signs in the neighborhood. The problem is that they are usually placed really high on the poles, but being 6’2″ I was able to get them down standing on my tip toes.
If you see signs like that, call the number on the sign and complain to them directly. Also, call the utility company and give them the companies phone number or other info because they can be fined. Then, if you’re tall enough, or have a tall friend, take ’em down!
The man is Frank Hodge. He is from Roanoke, VA. He works for HUD. The investors is the Rehab Investments LP from WynneWood PA.
Wow. What an eye opener, if I do infer correctly here, that HUD agents are in collusion with real estate speculators to put defenseless people out of their homes so they can swoop in and buy ’em up cheap. Did I get that right…?
On a secondary note, I have some neighbors who don’t do all they could with their properties but it doesn’t mean I want to invest the city with the power to come on people’s properties and do whatever they want. Let us see the big picture here. What happens when someone decides my bricks aren’t good enough? Are they going to tear down my house…?
Besides, it just seems common decency to leave this poor woman alone. If the garage is not a threat to public safety…then surely the city must have more pressing issues to worry about?
If I’m following this correctly, it sounds like a conflict of interest to me – and possibly an illegal one at that (a HUD agent buying up / profiting personally from homes that have been impacted by his work in his government / professional capacity)… who investigates this kind of thing?
The voice and its “hearsay and allegedlies” reminds me of community blogs and their commenters.
Which blogs and commenters, Mr. Burns? All of them?
I am usually reluctant to comment because the ‘facts’ as we know them are only as they are presented here… The idea of officials acting less than exemplary is disturbing, so I did some checking around. There is no HUD office near Roanoke that I can find, there is a Veterans Affairs office there that uses the HUD logo to place homeless veterans. There is a Frank Hodge that has a rather lofty position at the Building Inspectors office in Beaufort, SC near Hilton Head, but if it is the same person, I cannot say. Rehab Funding LP Wynnewood PA is a hard money lending firm that would not want to buy the house, but would provide a proof of funding to a seller on behalf of an interested buyer. This would more or less assure the seller they would get paid promptly if they choose to sell. If this is the same man, is he procluded from making an offer on an investment property in state that he has no jurisdiction over? Because of his background, he may be more aware than another person how to get the bureaucratic wheels turning if there are legitimate code violations. It may be somewhat predatory which is more a moral question than a legal one. Just thought I’d cool the ‘HUD rep stealing houses’ debate before the accusations got out of hand. BTW, the guy in SC isnt very well liked by his neighbor…
#30 Lol about the guy in SC not being liked by his neighbor I too am reluctant to comment but I would like to toss out – as I understand it, the repair order is for the structure in the back that has a hole in the roof. It was on the Channel 8 news last week.
Lenore …. thanks for your research.
Thanks, Lenore. You are right. He has HUD-MAN on his licensing plate. He don’t have a plate on the front of his SUV. He told me he was from Roanoke. It is on record that Rehab Investment LP is the owner of the house. I got the information from a map on this website, that tells you, your poverty value. He, also told me he works for HUD. Yes, it is a hole in the roof and it is repairable. That’s not the problem. They would not give me a building permit to fixed. They wanted me to tear it down in the very beginning. I know what happen, that’s why I fought back.
The order was for my house and garage.
Oh, Thank- you all, for your concerns. I have my building permit and the work has started. Thank-You