Cleveland block club fights against vacant homes, crime

CLEVELAND - The Shadeland Avenue Block Club isn't letting post housing crisis effects drag down their neigborhood.

On any given day you're likely to find some of its three dozen members walking throughout the community, keeping watch and talking with each other.

For the past five years, block club members have fought especially hard against a growing number of vacant homes, and the crime and drop in property values they create. Shadeland Avenue, located off of Eddy Road on Cleveland's near east side, remains a vibrant community because of the coordinated effort of its residents.

The street currently contains six vacant homes and seven vacant lots, but that hasn't dampened the community spirit. You won't find any illegal dumping or overgrown lots on the street.

Shadeland Avenue Block Club members cut each others lawns, and trim and clean-up the vacant lots as well.

"Neighbors being together, we can do anything in numbers," said block club member Corean Germany. "Be comcerned about your neighbors, not just yourself. That's why I joined."

Block club members have even contacted the owners of vacant homes that have fallen into disrepair. Theresa Evans has tracked down abesentee owners in Tennesse and California, asking them to repair their properties.

"When I come out, I speak to everybody," said Evans. "They say there goes Mrs. Theresa. Watch out, she'll get you," said Evans with a laugh.

The block club recently set up its own Facebook page "Revitalize Shadeland" to spread information and awareness about their battle against blight. The group is now proposing an "adopt-a-block program," hoping to find buyers, developers, or non-profits for some of the vacant homes on their block.

Block club member Ernest Germany believes it's important vacant homes are reported and taken care of as early as possible.

"If we can address this in the intial stages, then we can save these homes and convert them for new owners," said Germany. "People need to work together. It's now more important than ever before that you get to know your neighbors."

5 On Your Side invites residents to report vacant/condemned homes in their neighborhood through the NewsChannel5 Building Better Neighborhoods initiative. 

Residents are encouraged to send in pictures and information on distressed properties to our Troubleshooter Facebook or Twitter accounts @joeonyourside . Report a home using your smartphone and our free NewsChannel5  app.

If you're dealing with a vacant home in your neighborhood, use the Cleveland Housing Court Vacant Home Toolkit to guide you through the process of moving a vacant home to progress step-by-step.

NewsChannel5 will bring you a series of reports and updates on the progress made through the Building Better Neighborhoods initiative throughout 2012.