Land Bank Receives $8.2 Million Grant To Target Blighted Homes

The Central Ohio Community Improvement Corporation has been awarded an $8.2 million grant to pursue demolitions of blighted residential properties throughout Franklin County.

Franklin County Treasurer Ed Leonard estimates that the grant would help demolish between 1,200 and 1,500 properties.

Leonard said that the funds can be used only for the demolition of abandoned, tax delinquent residential properties and that they will target "the rotten apples" -- those individual properties that are dragging down property values in otherwise strong neighborhoods.

The funds for the grant are made available through a settlement reached earlier this year by the state attorneys general and five of the nation's largest mortgage companies. This money represents part of the settlement that Ohio received. 

Those interested in submitting properties for the land bank's consideration may do so at the Franklin County Treasurer's website. 

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