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City Blight Will Be Removed Thanks To Federal Funding

Abandoned Building
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The state plans to use most of a big federal grant to tear down abandoned buildings in Detroit and Flint.  

  

The $75 million grant comes from the Hardest Hit Fund.  It’s supposed to help people struggling to pay their mortgages.  

Kevin Elsenheimer is the director of the Michigan State Housing Development Authority.  He says Detroit and Flint have the most abandoned buildings in Michigan, and the plan makes sense for homeowners in those cities.  He says tearing down blighted buildings reduces crime and makes neighborhoods more attractive.  

“This actually does have the benefit of improving neighborhoods, improving property values, and just helping to make our cities more livable.”

Elsenheimer says a quarter of the money will be set aside to help people who are behind on their mortgages and face foreclosure. 

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— Rick Pluta is the Managing Editor and Reporter for the Michigan Public Radio network.  Contact WEMU News at734.487.3363 or email us at studio@wemu.org

Rick Pluta is the managing editor for the Michigan Public Radio Network.
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