Biography
In the 2001 study published by the Memphis Shelby Crime Commission titled, “Fixing Broken Windows – Strategies to Strengthen Housing Code Enforcement and Related Approaches to Community-Based Crime Prevention in Memphis,” the author, Phyllis Betts, Ph.D. states “...the time seems ripe to design and implement a comprehensive problem properties initiative.”
The Problem Properties Collaborative assists neighborhood organizations correct, combat, and prevent problem properties by:
• Reaching out to neighborhoods through assistance, training by sharing of local and national best practices, conducting new research, and informing groups about new laws and regulations
• Bringing the problem of problem properties to the attention of elected officials, government employees, funders, and the public, building partnerships among neighborhood organizations, fighting for new laws, polices, and ordinances to stamp out problem properties
• Implementing proven initiatives at the neighborhood level to improve neighborhoods
• Conducting innovative research on code enforcement, foreclosures, neighborhood blight, housing development
Interests
The mission of the Problem Properties Collaborative is to support innovative code enforcement strategies and other neighborhood revitalization initiatives in Memphis through active and ongoing involvement of community-based organizations to promote and support healthy and vibrant neighborhoods. What is the Problem Properties Collaborative Code Enforcement Campaign? There are very few tools for neighborhood organizations to use in order to address problem properties. The goal of the Problem Properties Collaborative is to equip neighborhood organizations with a smart approach to this problem. We provide a process for neighborhood organizations to work collectively, building momentum to fight neighborhood decay. The primary role of the Problem Properties Collaborative is to support a coalition of neighborhood organizations and key allies to recommend new policies, use strategies and resources that support and encourage the redevelopment of abandoned and neglected properties.
