Stimulus money to combat urban blight

(NECN: Jennifer Eagan, Worcester, Mass.) – The city of Worcester has taken a major step in the fight against urban blight. Officials announced millions in federal money that will be spent to help city neighborhoods get back on their feet. City-wide, there are more than 2,000 foreclosed properties, with 11 alone on King Street. “People think ‘who cares’, you know. And it’s nice to have people that do care,” resident Lily Morales said. Plans include $9 million in state and federal stimulus money to revitalize neighborhoods like King Street. Four million dollars will help buyers and developers purchase and renovate foreclosed or vacant properties. Another $5 million will be available for weatherization and energy efficient upgrades. “These vacant units do nobody any good. Certainly they’re not housing anybody, but they’re also in many cases become rundown and really blights on the neighborhoods,” Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray said. “This allows us to eradicate those types of properties.”