Mount Vernon will be tacking on of
the city’s biggest issues – so-called “zombie homes.”
The term refers to homes that are
vacant and deteriorated and whose owners are behind on mortgage payments.
Some crews were out on Wednesday
weeding and sweeping away debris on Cortlandt Street.
"We got two zombie houses side
by side. So, what we wanted to do is attack both of them at the same
time," said sanitation foreman Ray Rodgers.
The work is part of the city’s
"Love Our City" initiative.
"These properties have been
neglected for many, many years,” said Mount Vernon Department of Public Works
Commissioner Damani Bush. "They caused hazardous conditions throughout the
city."
The zombie properties also attract
rats and rodents.
Cortlandt Street resident Sylvester Masaquor says that he is
happy to see the trash and weeds taken care of.
"I've lived here for almost
20 years and it’s a surprise to see this house like that,” he said.
The city has so far cleaned up 50
zombie properties since the program started last May.
The program is also aimed at
employing city residents.
"I was unemployed for about
two years after COVID. It was kind of hard to find jobs," said Quentin
Glimore, who is cleaning up zombie properties.
Gilmore is one of 25 people hired
for the six-month long seasonal job.
He takes pride in his work.
"I feel like it’s a bad
representation of the city so we just trying to fix that. We want more people
to move in and be proud of where you from,” said Gilmore
The city is also working to ensure
these zombie properties don't become an eyesore again.
"We just hired our first
zombie property coordinator, and we are working hand in hand with our building
department and our planning department to make sure it’s a collaborative effort
to address all of these properties.” Bush said.