U.S. in Recession

Cities tackle problem of vacant properties

A wave of foreclosures has hit certain communities in Minneapolis and St. Paul hard, and experts expect the problem to continue with the economy in recession. Midmorning looks at what the two cities are doing to keep foreclosed properties from bringing down entire neighborhoods.

Guests

• Prentiss Cox: Associate professor of clinical law at the University of Minnesota.
• Cecile Bedor: Director of the Department of Planning and Economic Development for the City of St. Paul.
• Tom Streitz: Director of housing policy and development for the City of Minneapolis.

More from MPR

• When houses go empty, they look for squatters
  December 7, 2008
• Preventing foreclosure, one door at a time
  December 2, 2008
• Minn. AG wants mandatory mediation in foreclosures
  November 20, 2008

Resources

• About Prentiss Cox
• St. Paul mortgage foreclosure program
• Residential foreclosures in Minneapolis
• Don't Borrow Trouble