Housing Survey Underway In Lakewood, Citations Could Be Issued

LAKEWOOD, OH — The Lakewood tri-annual housing survey started October 1. Inspectors will examine the exterior of all one- and two-family homes throughout the city, collecting data, and then issuing citations and connecting homeowners to improvement resources. This marks the second phase of the city's sweeping Housing Forward initiative.

“This approach has proven to create focus,” said Mayor Mike Summers in a release from the city. “It enables progress, and has resulted in the significant strengthening of our home values.” The city said that its housing stock is its greatest asset. There are approximately 13,000 housing structures throughout Lakewood, based on city projections.

Housing Forward is the city's long-term housing improvement strategy. The program was launched in 2012 as a way to prepare the city's aging housing stock for another century, or more, of existence. The city said it has seen a reduction in blight and enhanced safety because of the survey.

The city's third survey should be completed by the end of the month. Inspectors will only examine the exterior of a house and will score it on a simple scale from 1 (meets code) to 4 (significant disrepair).

After the survey is finished and the scores gathered, the Division of Housing and Building will aggregate the scores and study the results. The houses that need the most attention will be singled out. Property Maintenance Inspectors will then be dispatched to speak with homeowners about resources for improving their property. Citations will also be issued in the spring of 2019.

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Photo from Rick Uldricks, Patch