Vacant housing in Ohio increases 50 percent in 10 years

Vacant housing in Ohio increases 50 percent in 10 years

Associated Press

DAYTON

A federal report shows Ohio’s housing vacancy rate jumping 50 percent between 2000 and 2010.

The Dayton Daily News reports the Government Accountability Office report shows Ohio’s leap is the 10th largest among states and far above the national average of 33 percent.

The report notes that the vacancy increase costs taxpayers in terms of straining services like police and fire protection. Some of the properties require taxpayer-funded maintenance and demolition.

In Ohio, 9.1 percent of all housing was vacant in 2010. That’s up from 6.1 percent in 2000.

The federal report also showed Ohio had the 13th highest increase in the number of vacant residential properties among states, the 18th highest increase in the unemployment rate and the eighth largest jump in the percentage of loans in foreclosure.