Seeking to assist municipalities reclaim blighted or abandoned properties, Rep. Rick Geist (R-Altoona) is co-sponsoring legislation that would pave the way for local governments to prosecute homeowners who neglect their properties.
“This much-needed legislation would help improve the quality of life throughout thousands of communities in Pennsylvania,” Geist said. “There are many homes across the Commonwealth in which owners fail to repair or maintain and this affects the aesthetic value of a neighborhood. I believe this measure would give communities the opportunity to address this problem.”
For years when a blighted property was an eyesore to a community, taxpayers would often foot the bill to repair and clean up abandoned properties. Under this proposal, local governments could prosecute negligent owners and seize their financial assets, which would be used to clean up the property. This legislation would also clarify the identity of an owner and hold him or her accountable for the costs to remediate or demolish the blighted building.
“Taxpayers should not be financially responsible to pay for cleaning up someone else’s property,” Geist said. “These people need to be held accountable and the Legislature should provide the resources necessary to hold them financially culpable for increasing the health and safety risk within the community.”
The proposal would also help reduce blight by allowing a conservator to be appointed to manage a property before it becomes blighted. The bill will also expand the ability of redevelopment authorities to assist municipalities with remediation.
In the coming weeks, the bill will be assigned to a committee for consideration.
Rep. Richard A. Geist
79th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
(814) 946-7218
(717) 787-6419
Contact: Tim Eller
House Republican Public Relations
(717) 260-6242
