Some cities around the state are getting serious about abandoned and rundown properties.

Blight is an issue that every city deals with – abandoned homes or commercial properties that take up space, become safety hazards, and lower property values.

The state of Connecticut has taken initiative by passing a bill that creates a registration system to track ownership of blighted properties due to foreclosure and also allows municipalities to hold banks accountable to repair and maintain the properties.

The city of New Britain is getting “clean and lien”. If a blighted property owner ignores the city’s warnings, the city will clean and repair properties themselves, and of course send the bill right back to the owner.

But the word “blight” itself is loaded with the baggage of decades of failed urban renewal efforts.

Today, Where We Live, we’ll continue our series on housing, and look at what’s being done in Connecticut and beyond when it comes to getting rid of blight, and revitalizing our cities.