Michigan Cities Await Word On Demolition Funds

FLINT (WWJ/AP) - Several Michigan cities are expected to find out later this month how much money they'll get to help tear down thousands of vacant houses and clean up struggling neighborhoods.

Officials earlier this year announced that $100 million from the federal government's Hardest Hit Fund would be used in Detroit, Flint, Grand Rapids, Pontiac and Saginaw. The fund was created in 2010 to help states struggling through the economic and mortgage crisis.

The Flint Journal reports the Flint area is seeking $25 million of the money to demolish more than 2,000 homes.

The Michigan State Housing Development Authority has received applications.

A meeting is Aug. 12 and a decision on how much money each city will get is expected to be made by no later than Aug. 15.

Meantime, in Detroit, having made good on his campaign pledge to demolish 10,000 dangerous vacant and abandoned residential structures by the end of his first term, Mayor Dave Bing continues to lead a charge to fight blight.

The city recently announced that residents can now see where a particular structure is in the demolition process by using an online demolition map on the Detroit Buildings, Safety Engineering & Environmental Department's web site. To check it out, follow this link.

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