Federal funds help transform Wilmington nuisance properties

City officials celebrate the transformation of a formerly rodent-infested nuisance property.

A formerly rodent infested home on West 22nd Street in Wilmington’s Triangle neighborhood has been cleaned up and will soon be home to a new family as part of the federal Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP).

The property is one of more than 60 other locations that are scheduled to be cleaned up and redeveloped with the help of the $5.6 million the city has received from the NSP.  Wilmington Mayor James Baker (D) says allowing just a few homes in a neighborhood or block to fall into disrepair can cause a domino effect.  “There’s always more to do, but I really think the NSP program has worked out very well for us,” Baker says.

He says the program  helps get owners moving into the homes instead of renters.  He says the high rental rates in some communities contribute to the destabilization of neighborhoods.  “It’s the only way to save the city in the long run, we’ve got to have more homeowners.”  Baker says 80% of the city’s Eastside and West Center City  sections are made up of renters.   He says almost 90% of city’s  Northeast section is made up of renters.  “You just can’t have that coming and going every six months or every year, new people coming and going.”

All 60 homes that are scheduled to be rehabilitated through NSP were foreclosed, abandoned, or will be new construction on vacant land.  You can find more info about the program on the city’s section of the NSP website.