The Blight Elimination Program is an Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority (IHCDA) funded-effort to reduce the negative impacts of blighted and abandoned homes by demolishing those beyond repair.
A partnership between local governments and the State of Indiana, this program brings new green and opportunity for redevelopment while removing homes that have a negative influence on nearby property values, crime, and neighborhood identity.
The City of Richmond has taken part of this program since 2015, and as of the fall of 2019, 203 blighted houses were demolished and the land returned to an end user. The end user can be a variety of entities. For example, adjacent property owners have acquired some newly empty lots, developers have applied to receive others, and still others have been turned over to Habitat for Humanity for use in their programs. In other cases, the original property owner retains ownership of the lot.
As of late August 2020, the City was approved to expend excess funds remaining from the close of the program in 2019. Excess funds were a result of various cost-saving measures. These funds will go towards the demolition of four properties, recently approved by the state. The City has until the end of 2020 to spend all remaining funds and close out the program. As staff moves this process forward, adjacent property owners will be contacted.
Four new properties:
304 N. 22nd St.
610 N. Ninth St.
404 S. 12th St.
77 N.W. H St