Since Delridge resident Mike Dady led city officials on a tour through his neighborhood to see first hand the problems caused by dilapidated, vacant houses, city council members Sally Clark and Tim Burgess, as well as the Department of Planning and Development, have been working to find solutions to the problem.

One legislative change officials are working on would alter the rules regulating home demolitions. Currently, for a home to be demolished, the property owner must have a permit for a new project to be built on the property. This is just one regulation that keeps vacant, rundown homes from being torn down.

Diane Sugimura, director of the planning department, explained that the problem lies in homes that are not deteriorated enough to be abated, but cannot be closed to entry, typically by transients camping in them.

“We need to think through to make sure there aren’t any unintended consequences that surprise anyone later,” said Sugimura.

Dady said he is happy that city officials are responding, but hopes the process is not too lengthy.

“I understand the need to make sure all corners are covered but this is an instance where we can’t be dragging our feet,” said Dady.

He added that if building inspectors had more liberties to enter homes, it is likely that more could be abated.

“There needs to be a streamline process to take a house down,” said Dady. “If it’s been sitting there vacant for a long time and the (owner) has a desire to demolish a property I think that's better than letting it sit their unoccupied.”

Sugimura said that both Clark and Burgess are eager to present new legislation and that the public could see proposed changes within two weeks.