FORT SMITH, Ark. — Fort Smith city leaders are set to discuss housing blight in neighborhoods across the city during the Board of Directors meeting on Tuesday, June 25.
Reducing neighborhood blight is referenced as the number one goal out of six objectives set forth by the Board of Directors for 2024.
Housing blight refers to the appearance of vacant, dilapidated, or abandoned structures and lots that "have profound negative impacts on afflicted communities" by decreasing property value, posing safety hazards, and lowering local tax revenue, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
On Tuesday, the Fort Smith City Board of Directors is set to discuss the city's progress in addressing the housing blight.
According to documents on the meeting's agenda, the following increases have been made in code enforcement against overgrowth, trash/debris, graffiti, etc. since the beginning of 2024 compared to this time in 2023:
- Property inspections up 24%
- Warnings issued up 24%
- Follow-up inspections up 23%
- Abatements up 36%
"The five environmental inspectors currently on staff have worked hard to achieve these significant increases in enforcement. It has been a challenge with the limited number of inspectors, but they are dedicated to their job and to the city. With the increased efforts, we are beginning to see visible signs of improvements in our city neighborhoods," said Shawn Gard, the property maintenance supervisor.
The city also targeted four areas in Fort Smith that seemed to be "lacking in general property and structure upkeep" — two on the north side and two on the south side.
Steps were taken in the 2024 budget to address housing blight in Fort Smith, such as increasing the Demolition & Cleanup Fund from $150,000 in 2023 to $300,000 in 2024. The city says it is using federal funds from the Community Development Block Grant (HOME funds) for the prevention of blight through both Housing Assistance and New Construction programs.
This includes offering a grant of up to $15,000 to residents with low-income housing to address HVAC, roofing, electrical, plumbing, and wheelchair accessibility.
HOME funds are also used to buy lots that are used to build affordable housing. "HOME funds are used to construct homes- often in infill lots. The program helps to address vacancies in existing neighborhoods while also increasing properties values with the addition of new single family homes."
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