NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. — Sometimes it doesn’t matter how many times code enforcement issues a fine, if a homeowner can’t pay it and can’t do the work themselves, the problem doesn’t get fixed.
What You Need To Know
- Neighborhood improvement program kicked off early June
- City staff, police completed the work as volunteers
- Money comes from fines and foreclosures
In an attempt to help residents living on fixed incomes in aging homes, the New Port Richey code enforcement division and the New Port Richey Police Department teamed up to try out a new solution.
Chief Robert Kochen says their goal is to help the city’s residents who want to come into compliance but don’t have the means to do so.
“Some of the neighborhoods have gotten really old over time and they’re in decline,” he said. “Some residents just don’t really have the means to fix up their houses.”
The city and police department decided to launch a neighborhood improvement program. Through this program, some of the fines collected through code enforcement issues and foreclosures are now going to towards fixing up homes for residents who have no other options.
Where does the money collected from code enforcement fines and foreclosures actually go?
In New Port Richey, they’re trying something new. Those who need it most are getting a little help from those funds and @newportricheypd. We saw the impact first hand.
— Angie Angers (@angie_angers) June 16, 2023
In early June, roughly 20 members of city staff and the police department spent their Saturday cleaning and painting two homes that belonged to elderly residents.
One of the homes belongs to Berry, who did not want to reveal her full name. She’s owned her small New Port Richey home for 20 years and said after her husband died, she gave up hope.
“I had no family… no one,” Berry said. “There’s no way I could ever do any of this, I mean even begin.”
At Berry’s home, a team of eight city volunteers helped to pull debris piles from her carport and painted and trimmed the outside. Now, she says, she feels hope again and is slowly working to sort through the possessions inside.
“I think it kind of saved my life actually,” she said.
Kochen says code enforcement will continue to identify homeowners who would benefit from this program and start working with them to see how the city can help.
