Cleveland, OH–
Community leaders from throughout the State of Ohio gathered together on Thursday March 24th, 2011 at ESOP to discuss issues effecting their communities. Leadership’s resounding theme was that, “decisions are made in our communities, where we live, work, and worship, without our consent.” Leaders from throughout the state talked about issues with elected officials, development groups, and non-profits who are NOT serving their communities.

Leaders from Hough, Mt. Pleasant, Central City (Toledo), Buckeye-Larchmere, among many other neighborhoods, created a plan of attack on what they want to see done in their communities. Their plan including working with law enforcement, holding elected officials accountable, and working to save habitable vacant houses and demolish inhabitable vacant houses. The group is ready to move into action, including holding US Bank accountable for the millions of dollars they owe the City of Cleveland and taxpayers for back taxes and demolition costs on US Bank owned properties.

Our next step is to host a US Bank specific meeting on Tuesday April 19th 2011 at 6:00pm at ESOP (3631 Perkins Ave.) to discuss issues with US bank owned vacant houses and issues homeowners with US bank mortgages are currently having. This meeting is just the first in a series of monthly membership meetings ESOP’s community organizing team (COT) is having to engage ESOP homeowner’s in ESOP’s community organizing efforts.

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ESOP is a HUD Certified 501(c)3 non-profit foreclosure prevention and community organizing agency. ESOP’s mission is to create organized leadership around issues that impact neighborhoods life. ESOP has ten offices throughout the state of Ohio and has helped over 16,500 homeowners save their homes from foreclosure since 2005. For more information about ESOP and it’s community organizing efforts please contact us at 216.361.0718 ext. 1009 or organize@esop-cleveland.org