Still plagued by home left vacant after Hurricane Sandy, a politician and local activists are pushing for greater action to clean up the blighted properties.
"With the rising number of blighted and mold infested abandoned properties throughout Sandy-damaged communities, Assemblyman Phil Goldfeder (D-Rockaway) has announced a three-point plan to hold mortgage holders and banks accountable, keep residents safe and clean up the community eyesores that have become a serious health hazard for neighboring homeowners," reports the Yeshiva World News.
Since January of 2014, according to the article "the NYC Department of Buildings has registered nearly fifty vacant homes throughout southern Queens and Rockaway."
The three point plan pressed by Assemblymember Goldfeder includes the Abandoned Property Neighborhood Relief Act in the New York State Assembly, the Remediation of Unsafe Flooded Homes Program with the new York City Council, and a City-Wide Online Vacant Home Registry, to be maintained by the New York Police Department.
FULL STORY: NYC: Goldfeder Tackles Runaway Banks Who Abandoned Sandy Victims

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Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
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When Sears Pioneered Modular Housing
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Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
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Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
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