AKRON, Ohio -- The home foreclosure crisis has hit thousands of northeast Ohio homeowners, but now there's a new twist.

A Five On Your Side investigation found new health and safety concerns because of vacant homes in area neighborhoods.

Akron resident Gary Mallicoat said the owner of the home next to his moved out months ago, leaving everything behind. He asked NewsChannel5 to help investigate.

Within hours, the city of Akron put property owners on notice. While homeowners have not yet filed for foreclosure, Akron housing inspectors cited them for high grass, weeds and interior and exterior trash.

"Anyone driving by may not have noticed from the street, but when you called and alerted us to go in the back yard, we found a boatload of trouble in the back yard," said Akron spokesman Mark Williamson.

The number of foreclosed homes in the last two years is staggering: 7,255 in Summit County, 25,024 in Cuyahoga County, 3.878 in Lorain County, and 1,581 in Medina County.

In Akron, health and safety concerns have prompted a special nuisance patrol that answered 8,000 complaints last year.

"There are property owners that just abandoned -- and the banks will tell you that -- they just leave, they pack pickup and leave and it's difficult to track them down," said Williamson.

NewsChannel5 obtained a list of 14 health code violations, including animal waste inside the home, rodents and dangerous electrical wiring.

The homeowners contacted NewsChannel5, saying they were forced out because of racial discrimination and said the home was broken into and vandalized after they left.

They promised to clean it up before fines and penalties kick in.