Some of Erie’s neglected homes could soon get a second chance.

The Erie Land Bank is “Keeping Erie Homes in Erie Hands,” preparing nearly a dozen vacant, distressed properties for rehabilitation by qualified local developers.

“We’re trying to get those properties back to productive reuse, certainly we know there’s some value in some of those properties, and they are salvageable, however, they’re severely distressed and they’re gonna take the right developer, you know, to come in and rehabilitate those properties and create them as a community asset again,” said Aaron Snippert, the executive director for the City of Erie Redevelopment Authority and Erie Land Bank.

Officials said some of the homes are suffering from water damage, minor structural damage and general decay from years of neglect, but have the potential to be turned back into livable family homes.

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The Erie Land Bank hopes these properties won’t stay vacant much longer, as staff works to connect these homes with developers committed to bringing them back to life.

“They’re, you know, boarded up, there’s paint peeling, so really what we’re hoping to do is, if we can get these homes back to livable condition, it will improve the overall feel of the neighborhood,” said Joshua Stearns, the redevelopment coordinator for the City of Erie Redevelopment Authority.

“Blight is a cancer, and so it starts with one property and it slowly grows into one or more, so when you have a stable neighborhood, and you can take that blighted property and revitalize it, you now, you’ve created a public investment that’s gonna drive private investment,” said Snippert.

The Land Bank said its goal isn’t just to sell these properties, but to make sure they’re restored, occupied and contributing to Erie’s neighborhoods for years to come.

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“If we can get families back in these neighborhoods where they feel safe and secure in their homes, that’s what we’re hoping for,” said Stearns.

There are currently three properties available for development proposals, and Erie Land Bank officials encourage contractors and developers to keep an eye out for more property opportunities.

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