On Friday, the City acquired 129 Clay Street in the first successful foreclosure action under the Anti-Blight Ordinance passed in 2009. The level of blight experienced at 129 Clay Street was unacceptable to the neighborhood and to the City. Foreclosure is not something the City takes lightly, but when an absentee owner refuses to take responsibility for a property, the resulting blight negatively impacts the whole neighborhood. Fortunately, the City now has the ability to assure that this uninhabitable safety hazard and eyesore can be transferred to a responsible owner, and that this property can once again become a safe and affordable home for a New Haven family.  

 

The home at 129 Clay Street has been an eyesore since it became vacant in 2003. With the passage of the Anti-Blight Ordinance in 2009, the City gained the ability to fine nonresponsive property owners up to $100 a day. In addition, the City gained the right to perform necessary maintenance work, bill the property owner, and place a lien on the property. Prior to 2009, the City had been able to fine owners for building code violations, but had limited remedies in cases of serious blight. Anti-blight fines and maintenance fees for 129 Clay Street totaled $61,209 at the time of the foreclosure action.

 

 

 

  

 

While the New Haven Public Schools prepare to send the next generation of high school seniors off to college, one exceptional Hillhouse High School sophomore has received his own very early college acceptance letter! Fifteen-year-old sophomore Malcolm Jefferson has been accepted to Bard College at Simon's Rock in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. The program is home to over 400 highly motivated teenagers who begin a rigorous college education immediately after the tenth or eleventh grade, enabling them to receive a college diploma up to two years ahead of their peers. Great job Malcolm! He's pictured here with Ayana Harry of Fox61 who interviewed him last week about his accomplishment. When she asked him if there's anything he doesn't do, he replied "fail." This kid is going places!  

  

 

 

 

International Festival of Arts & Ideas Returns This Week 

 

The International Festival of Arts & Ideas returns this Saturday, June 16. The 15-day festival occurs each June in New Haven and features performing arts, lectures, and conversations that will spread throughout theaters and open spaces in the city. More than 80 percent of festival events are free. Click here for the festival event calendar.