An Inner City Carol

Here's a new twist on a familiar carol!

On the first day of Christmas, the slumlords gave to me…a house that was very slummy.

On the second day of Christmas, the slumlords gave to me…two violations and a house that was very slummy.

On the third day of Christmas, the slumlords gave to me…three faulty outlets, two violations, and a house that was very slummy.

On the fourth day of Christmas, the slumlords gave to me…four holes in the roof, three faulty outlets, two violations, and a house that was very slummy.

On the fifth day of Christmas, the slumlords gave to me…FIVE LEAD PAINT LAWSUITS…four holes in the roof, three faulty outlets, two violations, and a house that was very slummy.

On the sixth day of Christmas the slumlords gave to me…six mice and roaches…and FIVE LEAD PAINT LAWSUITS…four holes in the roof, three faulty outlets, two violations, and a house that was very slummy.

On the seventh day of Christmas, the slumlords gave to me, seven rats a-running, six mice and roaches, and FIVE LEAD PAINT LAWSUITS…four holes in the roof, three faulty outlets, two violations…and a house that was very slummy…

On the eighth day of Christmas, the slumlords gave to me..eight broken windows, seven rats a-running, six mice and roaches, and FIVE LEAD PAINT LAWSUITS…four holes in the roof, three faulty outlets, two violations…and a house that was very slummy.

On the ninth day of christmas, the slumlords gave to me…nine injunctions filed, eight broken windows, seven rats a-running, six mice and roaches,and FIVE LEAD PAINT LAWSUITS…four holes in the roof, three faulty outlets, two violations…and a house that was very slummy.

On the tenth day of Christmas, the slumlords gave to me…ten threatening letters, nine injunctions filed, eight broken windows, seven rats a-running, six mice and roaches, and FIVE LEAD PAINT LAWSUITS…four holes in the roof, three faulty outlets, two violations…and a house that was very slummy.

On the eleventh day of Christmas, the slumlords gave to me…eleven vacants toppling, ten threatening letters, nine injunctions filed, eight broken windows, seven rats a-running, six mice and roaches, and FIVE LEAD PAINT LAWSUITS…four holes in the roof, three faulty outlets, two violations…and a house that was very slummy.

On the twelfth day of Christmas, the slumlords gave to me…twelve blocks a-burning, eleven vacants toppling, ten threatening letters, nine injunctions filed, eight broken windows, seven rats a-running, six mice and roaches, and FIVE LEAD PAINT LAWSUITS….four holes in the roof, three faulty outlets, two violations…and a house that was very slummy.

This unusual bit of holiday cheer (?) comes from Carol Ott of Housing Policy Watch in  Baltimore. Click on that link. Go to her site. Read what she does. In a nutshell, this is what Housing Policy Watch is doing: (taken directly from this page )

• focusing on improving Baltimore’s blighted communities through reporting on vacant properties and assisting residents with targeted code enforcement efforts
• working with City and State government agencies and nonprofits on fair housing issues,
• working with residents and property owners on commercial revitalization efforts in low- to moderate-income neighborhoods
• improving affordable housing options for middle-income residents, resulting in more stable neighborhoods and a larger City tax base
• monitoring, reporting on and advocating for better housing policy in Baltimore City and the State of Maryland.

Considering end of year donations? Want to do some good outside the Bubble? Send Carol a check.  I have, several times. Not much. I wish I had more to give. Ms. Ott is the real deal. She lives where she works. She fights for the underdog and disenfranchised. She cares about decent living conditions and affordable workforce housing. Her mission is building strong neighborhoods.

I know we have plenty of worthy charitable causes in Howard County. But if you can spare a little, please consider Housing Policy Watch. And make sure to follow Carol on Twitter @HousingWatchMD .