Danbury Tackling Abandoned Houses

Health and Human Services Director Scott Leroy talks about the need for numerous city departments to address the problems associated with abandoned houses, which include squatters, drugs, prostitution, lower property values and the potential for lost city taxes.

The Health Department works on health issues associated with abandoned houses, such as rodents and vermin. The Danbury Police Department works on drugs and other crimes that arise in vacant homes. The Building Department makes sure the houses meet building code. The Fire Department identifies abandoned houses and circulates the addresses among firefighters. Abandoned houses are frequently vandalized, which creates unsafe conditions for fire fighters.

Danbury Fire Chief Geoff Herald said one house abandoned on Coal Pit Hill Road had every danger the department fears. It was abandoned in 2012 and it remains abandoned in 2013. Burned floor joists, a hole in the floor and a rickety staircase are all dangers for firefighters who would search the house for squatters during a fire. "The longer they're vacant, the more likely it is they're dangerous," said Chief Herald regarding the Coal Pit Hill Road in this earlier story.

These departments all send a person to the UNIT, which organizes the efforts of the various departments to solve the problems associated with abandoned houses. Jeff Preston, who answers the city's 311 information line, has become an expert on tracking down the owners of an abandoned house.