AUSTELL, GA (CBS ATLANTA) -
Nearly three years after heavy rain in September 2009 flooded parts of metro Atlanta, the city of Austell still is trying to address dozens of homes that were abandoned by owners who were not able to restore the property.
Austell Mayor Joe Jerkins said the city was able to use federal money to purchase and level 23 homes, but around 90 homes are still sitting vacant.
"When you try to find somebody that's left, then you try to locate the bank, and one bank sold it to another bank, and the mortgage company's got it, it's just difficult to track them down," Jerkins said.
He said the city is trying to craft an ordinance that will allow them to take more control over vacant homes. The city council will meet next Monday to discuss the issue.
"We need to be able to get hold of somebody who owns the house instead of just passing it down the line," Jerkins said.
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