The First Suburbs Consortium of Greater Cleveland Bedford

The First Suburbs Consortium of Greater Cleveland Bedford, Bedford Heights, Berea, Brook Park, Brooklyn Heights, Cleveland Heights, East Cleveland, Euclid, Fairview park, Garfield Heights, Lakewood, Maple Heights, Parma Heights, Shaker Heights, South Euclid, University Heights and Warrensville Heights 38% of the population of the County

Cleveland’s First Ring Suburbs

City Cleveland city East Cleveland city Maple Heights city Warrensville Heights city Euclid city Garfield Heights city Newburgh Heights village Bedford Heights city Cleveland Heights city Linndale village South Euclid city Bedford city Shaker Heights city Lakewood city Brook Park city University Heights city Parma Heights city Brooklyn Heights village Cuyahoga Heights village Solon city Fairview Park city Middleburg Heights city Residential parcels, Unduplicated residential number foreclosure filings, (2014) number, (2006 -2014) percent, (2006 -2014) 124184 38497 31% 5610 2300 41% 10278 3289 32% 4125 1155 28% 16635 4325 26% 11548 2887 25% 800 192 24% 2859 629 22% 14986 3147 21% 52 11 21% 9305 1865 20% 4870 974 20% 9760 1464 15% 16617 1994 12% 7258 871 12% 4433 532 12% 29745 3272 11% 6755 743 11% 3545 390 11% 650 52 8% 225 18 8% 9057 634 7% 6771 474 7% 6400 384 6%

Key Challenges We Face • Vacant & blighted houses: Average vacancy rate of 11% • Growth of rentals: 10% decrease in owner-occupancy • Growth of poverty: 31% of FSC population below poverty line • Loss of population • Erosion of residential tax base: Over $500 M in delinquent property taxes countywide. Shifting of tax burden to outer suburbs • Reduced resources: code enforcement being cut when needed most, city budgets being slashed due to state cuts and decreased tax revenue

Reduce Vacancy & Blight • CCLRC: Maintain a dedicated funding stream for the CCLRC and increase FSC representation on the Board. • Demolition: Ensure adequate funding stream for demolitions and enhance funding assistance for commercial demolitions. • Data: Require servicer information be provided foreclosed properties. Do not allow unregistered LLCs to file deeds. • Vacant Lots: Incentivize, provide information, and develop programs to streamline and simplify side lot consolidations.

Preserve our Older Housing Stock • Work with First Ring suburbs to develop a regionalized data system to be used countywide to assist with code enforcement. • Increase home repair funding options for low income homeowners. • Facilitate the establishment of challenge loan funds for unbankable residents with property maintenance needs. • Negotiate a Countywide contract for the Cleveland Restoration Society to provide historic preservation services and loan products to all cities. • Help us do the research necessary to hold Realtors and Lenders responsible for Fair Housing and CRA violations.

Promote stability • Provide programs that: • Increase the pool of qualified homebuyers • Facilitate the path from rental to homeownership • Provide services to promote tenant screening and landlord training • Require that County funded programs for subsidized housing enter into MOUs with FSC as a pre-condition. • Increase tax and mortgage foreclosure prevention outreach to suburbs. • Increase efforts at property tax collection. Enlist the help of cities to increase collections.

Strengthen Our Tax Base • Provide a multi-million dollar housing innovation fund for First Suburbs that goes beyond demolition. Rethink the way competitive grant programs are designed to allow for maximum innovation and the establishment of programs in addition to one-time projects. • Provide affordable services for mapping, planning, etc. • Invest in suburban infrastructure. Our roads and sidewalks are crumbling making our cities unattractive and uncompetitive.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. ” -Margaret Mead For more information: smartin@seuclid. com 216. 691. 4219 www. cityofsoutheuclid. com www. onesoutheuclid. com