The Observation Deck

Thanks Mr. Call

So the church program isn't targeting Lakewood per se but is merely looking for affordable housing (presuming the church wouldn't want to pick up the $3000 rent for the apt next to LeBron's at Quay 53).

This sounds like a worthy program, and the church is making its dollars count by seeking out good value in rents (isnt that one of our selling points?) The program could also include properties and landlords in Elyria or Lorain as well as Lakewood or Parma.

If the people need the program the church is supporting, isn't it likely they are NOT qualifiable for Sec 8?

Look I hate to seem cold here but there are a good many small, old, somewhat shabby apts in Lakewood going for as little as $400. We like to think of everyone in Lakewood as being middle-class nuclear families or hip young urban college grads with cool jobs but thats not who's renting $400 apts. Why would you live there unless you had to? Think about it.

Dee Martinez wrote:So the church program isn't targeting Lakewood per se but is merely looking for affordable housing (presuming the church wouldn't want to pick up the $3000 rent for the apt next to LeBron's at Quay 53).

Target would be the wrong word. Since Lakewood has good schools, good city services and relatively inexpensive rent it just makes sense to use Lakewood rather than (pick your city).

Since I am schizophrenic in all of my beliefs I have to agree that on balance this can be a good program but that if a City becomes a mecca for those in need this type of program has the potential to do long term harm to the community unless there is also a pro-active housing program designed to replace obsolete housing to allow Lakewood to attract middle and upper middle class people who are the people who pay the taxes that provide the money that provide the services that make Lakewood attractive to people who are in financial distress.

Dee Martinez wrote: Are you sure the church isnt trying to find affordable rent and that Lakewood is the closest, most affordable community? Facts are facts, and there really isnt a lot to rent for cheap n Avon Lake. The townhouses on Chester visible from I-90 start in the high-$700s (although ironically, they DO take Sec 8 Or is it also possible that a MEMBER of the church owns rental property in Lakewood and may be offering the church a break on rent?

This seems the most logical to me. Avon Lake is pretty pricey, and even if the church were willing to pay the rent for the first six months....what are the chances the tenants could continue with a high rent after that? Lakewood is the most affordable suburb west of Cleveland, and is a nice city to live after all!

Sometimes people just need a little help to get back on their feet. We bought our house here in Lakewood in 1994....in 1995 (with 2 small children and one on the way) my husband lost his job to a permanent layoff and we almost lost our house. That was certainly unexpected. We sure could have used a little help. We did get help thanks to HUD at time, but it ended up costing us big time years later.

Thankfully we're doing well now, but when you're in a situation such as that...it sure makes it darn tough to pull out of it.

Dee Krupp wrote:

Dee Martinez wrote: Are you sure the church isnt trying to find affordable rent and that Lakewood is the closest, most affordable community? Facts are facts, and there really isnt a lot to rent for cheap n Avon Lake. The townhouses on Chester visible from I-90 start in the high-$700s (although ironically, they DO take Sec 8 Or is it also possible that a MEMBER of the church owns rental property in Lakewood and may be offering the church a break on rent?

This seems the most logical to me. Avon Lake is pretty pricey, and even if the church were willing to pay the rent for the first six months....what are the chances the tenants could continue with a high rent after that? Lakewood is the most affordable suburb west of Cleveland, and is a nice city to live after all!

Sometimes people just need a little help to get back on their feet. We bought our house here in Lakewood in 1994....in 1995 (with 2 small children and one on the way) my husband lost his job to a permanent layoff and we almost lost our house. That was certainly unexpected. We sure could have used a little help. We did get help thanks to HUD at time, but it ended up costing us big time years later.

Thankfully we're doing well now, but when you're in a situation such as that...it sure makes it darn tough to pull out of it.

lorainlowrent

Edited to make Stephen's link tiny.

dl meckes wrote:Edited to make Stephen's link tiny.

LOL Thanks! I should have turned it into the word low rent..

dl meckes wrote:Edited to make Stephen's link tiny.

Is there a number of characters rule that I missed when posting a link?

David Lay wrote:

Jim O'Bryan wrote: Partying till 2 am?

Yes, this happens on a regular basis in the building next door.

I don't have a problem with the parties...but when it impedes on my peace and quiet, as well as my neighbors, that's when I have a problem.

I've called LPD numerous times about it. They have come and talked with the offenders...but it still continues.

The police are at the building next door right now (13326 Madison). Someone knocked a trash bin full of glass bottles down the stairs. Two nights ago marijuana smoke from that building wafted into my apartment.

Just a taste of what I deal with since the new neighbors moved in...

Stephen Eisel wrote:Is there a number of characters rule that I missed when posting a link?

I get cranky when I see the layout looking strange because of long links, so I try to make them tiny. I don't know how many characters it takes to "break" the layout.

But I'll search though the long list of unpublished rules and give you the reference number... when I have the time...

dl meckes wrote:

Stephen Eisel wrote:Is there a number of characters rule that I missed when posting a link?

I get cranky when I see the layout looking strange because of long links, so I try to make them tiny. I don't know how many characters it takes to "break" the layout.

But I'll search though the long list of unpublished rules and give you the reference number... when I have the time...

Oh thank you!!! I will anxiously be awaiting that list of rules. I luv rules!!!

I did receive a very quick response to my email from Chief Malley. The owners of the property will be put on notice.

I also received a response from Councilman Fitzgerald.

Thank you both for your quick responses and offering to look into the situation.

David Lay wrote:I did receive a very quick response to my email from Chief Malley. The owners of the property will be put on notice.

It shouldn't take a special e-mail to the chief and a councilman to have the nuisance law enforced. Such enforcement should occur as a matter of routine. This sounds like a job for Citistat!

Bill Call wrote:It shouldn't take a special e-mail to the chief and a councilman to have the nuisance law enforced.

Bill, do you expect the LPD to patrol David's hallways?

Are they to know about every potential nuisance by ESP? Wouldn't it make more sense, when people see a nuisance or a crime, to contact the LPD?

The "nuisance law" comes into play when someone has had three citations or arrests within a proscribed period of time.

When police are notified of problems, they investigate. Their follow-up generates statistics that show them where they need to spend more time and those statistics can also show them when the nuisance law should kick in.

dl meckes wrote:Bill, do you expect the LPD to patrol David's hallways?

Are they to know about every potential nuisance by ESP? Wouldn't it make more sense, when people see a nuisance or a crime, to contact the LPD

I got the impression from David's posts that either he has called or witnessed the police there multiple times. I could be wrong and maybe David can clarify.

Now assuming that my understanding of the situation is correct and the police had been there more than 3 times in the recent past, then I think Bill's question is valid.

I have called the police multiple times, and the police have responded every time.

I'm not sure if any other people have called or not, but I've called at least 6 times in the past 4 months. One for two brothers fighting (there's a sister and 2 brothers living in the same building, in separate apartments), a few for drug activity, and loud parties.