Mold Causes Controversy in Abandon Home

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Mold Causes Controversy in Abandon Home

KOLN - Lincoln,NE*

Posted: Sep 8, 2008

Reporter: Christie Bett

Email Address: christie.bett@...

http://www.kolnkgin.com/home/headlines/28034419.html

Neighbors who live in the 1800 block of SW 22ND street aren't

happy... and they say an abandoned house is the reason why.

Neighbors say the home has been empty since June of 2007.

And next-door neighbor Tharnish says it's only getting worse.

" Our largest challenge with it currently is the mold... it has mold

all throughout the home. It is now growing from the inside out. Now

we actually have mold...on the basement window, " said Tharnish.

Tharnish reported the problem to the health department but the

department says as long as no one is living in the structure...

there is no public health concern.

Environmental Health Supervisor Rick Thorson said, " ...we

investigated it and determined that there was no immediate health

risk associated with it. "

Thorson says that the health department has been receiving a lot of

calls lately concerning mold... and although he can't directly link

it to an increasing number of foreclosed homes... he says the

economy could be partly to blame.

" It's possible that the slower economic times are creating a

situation to where homeowners or landlords can't maybe perhaps keep

up with necessary repairs and helping to avoid these issues, " said

Thorson.

But mold isn't the only issue causing a problem for neighbors. They

say the grass hasn't been cut since June, and the weeds are higher

than city limits allow.

" It's as high as my shoulders in some of the back part of the lawn, "

said Tharnish.

Lancaster County Weed Control says they were notified of the uncut

lot in August and are in the process of hiring a contractor to cut

the lawn. But first, they have to get confirmation from the property

owner that they will foot the bill.

The County Assessor's Office says the home hasn't been sold since

2004, but listed owners and Crystal Kent, couldn't be reached

for comment.

In the meantime, neighbors like Tharnish will just have to put up

with the problem.