SCHOA takes aim at unkempt homes

The Sun City Home Owners Association will initiate a new Community Intervention program Thursday morning, a step directors say will help address complaints about homes in disrepair in the community.

The compliance department of SCHOA, led by Bill Szentmiklosi, has had to deal with the changing nature of vacant homes, absentee owners and banks not caring what properties looked like. Historically, SCHOA has had to pursue the uncaring owners through costly litigation. They said the process had been fairly ineffective at times, and without question, slow and very expensive.

The new intervention program, however, allows SCHOA to target vacant homes and after proper notice is given, to contract with a vendor and take action in a matter of weeks rather than the time-consuming system of filing for injunctive relief through the courts.

At 9 a.m. Thursday, the first of several targeted properties, one at 9602 W. Wrangler Drive, will be cleaned. The cost associated with the action will be passed on to the owner, and if they fail to pay, a lien will be placed against the property.

Also in the works is the SCHOA Financial Assistance Program, which will help residents keep their property in compliance by lending a helping hand. The program will be based on funding through donations, membership rolls, and volunteers.

SCHOA said final details are yet to be worked out, but they should be pieced together and in place by end of 2008 or the start of 2009. Residents wishing to contribute may donate funds in conjunction with their membership or by mailing funds to the Sun City Home Owners Association and earmarking them for the Financial Assistance Program.

For information, contact SCHOA at 623-974-4718.