DALLAS -- Hundreds of vacant, rundown, homes plaguing Dallas neighborhoods could be candidates for demolition sooner under a change in the law made by the Dallas City Council. Under pressure from homeowners, the city is promising action to get rid of structures that are considered a nuisance.

Gena Gillon walks in her south Dallas neighborhood to visit a friend, but only during the day. She doesn't want to pass three vacant houses, one with open windows, after dark. “At night it's scary 'cause you never know who's in there. If someone is in there, whatever, it's kind of scary.”

In southern Dallas, Oak Cliff, east Dallas, across the city vacant houses mar neighborhoods. Residents complain of city inaction as some houses stay empty and rundown for years.

The city code has allowed the city to get a court order and demolish them only if the house were nearly falling down and deemed a safety hazard. But under a change approved Wednesday by the city council, the city can take action faster against a vacant house considered an urban nuisance.

City inspectors can go after a vacant house structurally sound, but a danger to the public even if boarded up. If vagrants or children can enter, the council wants owners to know the house could be knocked down.

Council member Dave Neumann deals with several vacant houses in his Oak Cliff, West Dallas district, “I think we need to go right to the edge right to the fullest extent of state law that will allow us to make sure that property owners have a responsibility.”

But Neumann and other council member have criticized the Code Compliance department for not being aggressive. Interim Code Director Forest Turner assures citizens he will act, “When they tell us about a problem building or problem home we'll move quickly with the city attorney's office to proceed if this tool fits that circumstance.”

The tougher ordinance on vacant homes is effective on Monday, May 19.

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