“Because of the guarantee held by the FHA, HUD ended up with these parcels. So this was a way that HUD could work with us, help to remove blighted, low-market properties, and also allow us to do what we do locally … to get properties rehabilitated and back on the market.”

HUD has transferred about 1,200 properties under the program, most on the east side of Cleveland and east side suburbs -- and most of which have been demolished. It pays all the back taxes before it makes the transfers. This is the fourth time the program has been renewed.