TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) Topeka is expected to quadruple its annual budget to demolish unsafe homes.
The Topeka Capital-Journal reports Topeka demolishes about 11 homes a year after the structures are declared unsafe. But the city expects that total to rise next year to about 44 homes.
Richard Faulkner, the city’s division director of property code and development, says the city will quadruple its annual budget from $100,000 to $400,000 to demolish those homes.
He says a recent survey identified 700 vacant houses in Topeka, and residents have expressed concerns about those structures.
The city is also trying to address problems involving vacant homes. Next year’s budget also provides funding for the neighborhood services department to increase its number of code enforcement inspectors to 10 from eight.
