Charleroi Working To Contain Blight

Charleroi Borough Council is actively addressing dilapidated homes in the borough. Councilwoman Jody Cheplic informed council of one building scheduled to be demolished very soon and asked the code enforcement office to proactively search for homes that seem to be falling into severe disrepair. Cheplic and the rest of council received a preview of the Strategic Management Planning Program report that will be finalized for the Department of Community and Economic Development. A section of the report deals with housing stock and condition. According to Cheplic, 200 properties were identified as being in some form of blighted condition. Cheplic explained that many times owners are out of state and find it easier to pay fines instead of addressing the issues for which their property was cited. Cheplic is hopeful that a loan program sponsored by the Redevelopment Authority of Washington County will spur first time home buyers to buy in Charleroi and current home owners to invest in the upkeep of their current homes.