§ 137.021 Homesteading

   (a)   The Director of Community Development shall establish a Cleveland Homestead Program within the City.

   (b)   For the purpose of such program, the Director of Community Development is authorized to accept, as gifts, real property on which is situated a structure which may be rehabilitated, or an undeveloped parcel of land which is suitable for the construction of a residential structure.

   (c)   The Director of Community Development shall prepare qualifications for prospective recipients of the Homestead Program and an outline of the procedures to be followed in the program and forward the same to Council.

   (d)   Notwithstanding and as an exception to any conflicting ordinance of the City, the Director of Community Development may convey real property acquired under the Homestead Program to qualified recipients by way of a deed with conditions subsequent, such conveyance being on the conditions that the structure be rehabilitated to the Building and Housing Codes of the City and that the recipient reside in the structure.

   (e)   The Director of Community Development is authorized to enter into all necessary contracts for the purpose of securing professional real estate appraisal, re-use appraisal, title services and such other professional services he or she may deem necessary to receive services incidental to the receipts, donation, sale or transfer of real property pursuant to the Urban Homestead Program.

(Ord. No. 149-78. Passed 3-20-78, eff. 3-23-78)

§ 137.022 Provision of Services for Fees

   The Director of Community Development is authorized to enter into contracts with governmental agencies to provide said agencies with appraisal, relocation and cartography services, which contracts shall provide for the payment to the City of the cost of the services rendered.

(Ord. No. 1254-87. Passed 6-15-87, eff. 6-19-87)

§ 137.03 Office of Fair Housing and Consumer Affairs

   There is established in the Department of Community Development an Office of Fair Housing and Consumer Affairs to be administered and controlled by a Manager of Fair Housing and Consumer Affairs. The Office of Fair Housing and Consumer Affairs shall accept, investigate and process complaints regarding unlawful discriminatory housing practices; accept, investigate and process complaints from consumers regarding fraudulent, unfair, deceptive or unconscionable business practices; work cooperatively with consumer agencies, schools, media and community organizations to educate consumers and businesses about consumer issues; make recommendations for legislative action to strengthen consumer protection; and perform further duties as may from time to time be required by ordinance or by the Director of Community Development.

(Ord. No. 1329-10. Passed 12-6-10, eff. 12-6-10)

§ 137.04 Duties of the Manager of Fair Housing and Consumer Affairs

   The Manager of Fair Housing and Consumer Affairs under the supervision and direction of the Director of Community Development and subject to the Charter and ordinances of the City, shall have the authority to:

   (a)   Delegate personnel in the Office of Fair Housing and Consumer Affairs to aid and assist the Manager in the proper discharge of his or her duties and powers;

   (b)   Supervise the execution and enforcement of all laws, rules and regulations pertaining to fair housing and consumer affairs as provided in the Fair Housing and Consumer Protection Codes;

   (c)   Receive moneys and issue vouchers for the disbursement of moneys in accordance with the terms of any stipulated settlement agreement made pursuant to division (a) of Section 643.13 of these Codified Ordinances;

   (d)   Accept, investigate and, if necessary, adjudicate, in conjunction with the Law Department, complaints regarding violations of the Fair Housing and Consumer Protection codes;

   (e)   Make studies, conduct tests and establish programs to educate and inform consumers of practices and problems and represent the interest of consumers before administrative and regulatory agencies;

   (f)   Work with governmental agencies and private consumer groups to insure the protection of consumers and to coordinate activities for the common municipal good;

   (g)   Make a written annual report to the Mayor enumerating the activities and recommendations of the Office of Fair Housing and Consumer Affairs;

   (h)   Do any and all acts which may be necessary for the successful prosecution of the purposes of the Fair Housing and Consumer Protection Code and such other acts as may be specifically enumerated herein including, but not limited to requiring that certain classes of merchants be licensed by the Office of Consumer Affairs subject to approval by Council through the Commissioner of Assessments and Licenses when the Director determines such licensing to be in the public interest and necessary for the protection of consumers.

(Ord. No. 1329-10. Passed 12-6-10, eff. 12-6-10)

§ 137.05 Reserved

§ 137.06 Reserved

§ 137.07 Division of Neighborhood Services – Repealed

(Ord. No. 1135-2023. Passed 12-4-23, eff. 12-7-23) (BOC Res. No. 33-24. Adopted 1-17-24)