Currently the City of New Port Richey has active outstanding liens on dilapidated unoccupied/non-homestead homes and vacant land. These homes and/or vacant land are a detriment to areas where they are located and degrade the quality of life for the surrounding residents and/or businesses.
To bring closure to these code enforcement cases/liens, and to help redevelop and enhance the quality of life in these areas, the strategy is:
- Administratively assess the code cases one by one and rank them based on the condition of the unoccupied home/vacant land and its negative impact on the area.
- Use a foreclosure attorney to foreclose on non-homesteaded/unoccupied properties and vacant land.
- Repurpose the properties for productive reuse as workforce housing.
In hiring an attorney that specializes in foreclosures, our city can streamline foreclosure proceedings on our code enforcement liens. Foreclosed properties will then be redeveloped to increase home ownership and improve the quality of life in these neighborhoods. Attorney Weidner is an expert on foreclosures and has active contracts with the City of St. Petersburg, City of Largo, City of Clearwater, City of Bradenton, City of Fort Pierce, and City of Yankeetown. Mr. Weidner has been practicing law since 1999 and is an active participant with the Florida Association of Code Enforcement and the Florida City and County Management Association. The fees associated with this retainer agreement are outlined therein.
City Attorney Tim Driscoll reviewed the retainer agreement and approved it as to form.