Kym Spring from Kent City took a look at the Michigan foreclosures situation and didn’t waste time to form the aptly named task force, Foreclosure Response.
According to a recent study, 114 of Oakdale’s 704 homes went to a sheriff’s sale from 2004-2007. Figures from RealyTrac show that one out of every 350 homes in Kent County is heading towards foreclosure. On a national scale, figures show an increase of 176 percent from 2002 to 2007.
Spring points that many people do not realize that the seemingly personal problem has lowered over-all property value and has affected the whole community. This is why Spring, with the help of only two volunteers, went door-to-door to invite Oakdale residents to the task force’s first meeting last December.
The group of three has steadily grown and now has 60 volunteers from 40 different groups, including real estate professionals, nonprofit and neighborhood organizations, banks, and county and city governments. The group is financed with a one-year $75,000 grant from the Grand Rapids Community Foundation and the Dyer-Ives Foundation. Plans to continue the aid are already underway.
Among its programs is a Home Repair Service to respond to troubled homeowners. It has also been actively promoting policies, legislation and other programs dealing foreclosure prevention.
Upcoming meetings are scheduled on the following dates:
- Oakdale Neighbors – Tuesday, 6 p.m., 1260 Kalamazoo Ave. SE
• Eastown Community Association, Thursday, 6 p.m., 415 Ethel Ave. SE
Ways to Deal with Foreclosures
• Report problems and safety concerns to the city. Call 456-3053 if you are in Grand Rapids.
• Know your neighbors, where they live and when they move out. Banks may not be aware when property is vacated.
• Pick up trash in empty properties.
• Park a car in front of the house or driveway to prevent it a vacated look.
• Shovel, weed and mow!
• Report suspicious cars or people.
• Actively participate in your neighborhood association.
• Spread the word.
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