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Jamestown officials would like to receive another round of grant funding from the state to combat zombie houses.
On Monday, the Jamestown City Council will vote and most likely approve applying for second round funding from the Zombie Remediation and Prevention Initiative program. Earlier this month, Vince DeJoy said the city has been invited to apply for up to $200,000 in funding. During the first round of funding in 2016, the city received just under $150,000. A zombie houses are those that are left vacant and abandoned and are not maintained during a prolonged foreclosure proceeding.
The funds from the first Zombie Remediation and Prevention Initiative program grant went toward addressing housing vacancy and blight by bolstering the city's capacity for housing code enforcement, for tracking and monitoring vacant properties and for legal enforcement capacity to ensure banks and mortgage companies comply with local and state law.
The grant also require communities to develop innovative programs and policies and connect at-risk homeowners to services so they can avoid foreclosure and stay in their homes.
DeJoy said in order for city officials to have a complete picture of all of the zombie properties in the city to be as accurate as possible on the application, city officials are asking residents to notify them online if they know where an abandoned house is located.
He said if people go to the city's website -- jamestownny.net -- and look under departments, then click on development/housing and then click on report vacant house.
Also, people can call the Department of Development office at 483-7542 to report an abandoned house.
DeJoy said it is a simple form asking for the street address and description of the property, with the ability to download a photo as well. He said people who submit a form will not have their name disclosed publicly.
With the new possible grant, DeJoy said city officials are looking to expand their legal capacity, specifically to go after those responsible for maintaining an abandoned house so it does not fall into disrepair.
DeJoy said the application for the second zombie grant is due March 8.