FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – The City of Fresno is cracking down on slumlords and providing more housing.
Fresno’s Mayor, and City Manager were among city officials taking a tour of two newly-renovated apartment complexes in Central Fresno, on Wednesday.
Mayor Lee Brand says they look a lot different than before – in 2016 they had suffered water damage and infestation…and a property owner ignoring city fines.
“You start with a $100 fine to a thousand, I’m sure here there were multiple citations on these units. It was in deplorable condition.” – Fresno Mayor Lee Brand.
The City of Fresno filed a lawsuit but the owner refused to repair dangerous health and safety violations, then the city successfully petitioned for a court appointed receiver, displacing the owner, and making all decisions of management and operations.
These are the first of many substandard properties to come where the city will take over management and hold irresponsible property owners accountable. Mayor Brand calls it a new era of code enforcement.
“This is the first, we’ve got another one and we are demonstrating our resolve as a city that we will not tolerate substandard housing in this city and we will take all legal actions necessary to make sure that happens.” – Mayor Brand.
The two sites on the tour have been updated and are now awaiting a court-approved sale.
Click below to listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern
