AG Healey Tours Property in Brockton Rehabbed Through Abandoned Housing Initiative

BROCKTON – October 29, 2015 – (RealEstateRama) — Recognizing the rehabilitation of abandoned properties in local communities as a way to address the impact of the foreclosure crisis, Attorney General Maura Healey today toured a Brockton property rehabilitated through her Abandoned Housing Initiative (AHI).

Healey toured the property today at 209 Tribou Street with Brockton Mayor Bill Carpenter, Rep. Michael Brady (D-Brockton) and other local officials.

“In the wake of the foreclosure crisis, the rehabilitation of abandoned properties is an important phase of our recovery for families and our communities,” AG Healey said. “Abandoned properties are public safety hazards, reduce property values, and hinder economic development. I want to thank Mayor Carpenter, Representative Brady, and the local officials who have worked tirelessly to address the foreclosure crisis in Brockton.”

The tour was led by Robert Jenkins, Executive Director of the Brockton Redevelopment Authority, which is the receiver of the property. A receiver is appointed by the court and given authority to take appropriate actions to bring the property back up to code. The Tribou Street property is in the process of being sold to a first time homeowner who meets affordable housing requirements.

Brockton has been one of the communities with the most active AHI programs. Since 2011, 45 homes in the city have been rehabilitated and repaired as result of efforts by the AG’s Office and the City of Brockton. Most of these properties were repaired by owners or banks as a result of intervention by the AG’s Office. In some cases, including the property visited today, the AG’s Office has had to go to court to appoint a receiver to repair a property.

Recently, AG Healey’s Office has seen an increase in municipalities seeking assistance to reduce blight and revitalize their neighborhoods through the rehabilitation of distressed and abandoned properties. AHI covers 81 cities and towns in Massachusetts and there are currently340 active abandoned properties in the program.

Utilizing funds recovered through the nationwide state-federal settlement over unlawful foreclosures, AHI continues to assist local communities in mitigating the impacts of the foreclosure crisis. The goal of funding through this program is to increase the capacity of receivers to finance the rehabilitation of abandoned properties throughout the state.

AHI employs the State Sanitary Code to seek out delinquent owners of distressed or abandoned residential properties and to have them bring those homes back into code compliance. If an owner refuses, then AHI can petition the Court to appoint a receiver to complete the needed repairs, with a lien placed on the home for the value of the work. The receiver is then compensated when the property is sold.

This project was handled by Assistant Attorney General Daniel A. Less of the AG’s Southeastern Massachusetts Office with assistance from the Brockton Redevelopment Authority.

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