Editorial: Act on neglected homes

Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2004 | 9:12 a.m.

The issue of homes scattered about the city that have long been abandoned and neglected is a delicate one now being addressed by the Las Vegas City Council. Delicate, because private property should be regarded as off-limits to government except in extreme cases. We hold the view that abandoned and neglected homes represent one of those occasions when government has a right and an obligation to act.

Orlando Sanchez, director of the city's Neighborhood Services department, says his office has counted 110 vacant homes "in various stages of disrepair." Unless regularly attended to, abandoned homes represent health and safety hazards and can attract crime into neighborhoods. Such homes also lower the property values of surrounding homes, which lowers the city's revenue from property taxes.

One solution being proposed by Sanchez's office is to place such homes in a city trust if owners do not respond to repair requests. The city could then at least board up the homes and reduce their danger. Eventually, through nonprofit groups, the homes could be renovated and put back on the market. This would require approval from the state Legislature. It has our approval right now.