The ZOMBIES Initiative is a collaboration between the Western New York Law Center’s Vacant and Abandoned Property Department and the Erie County Clerk’s Office. Our goal is to hold mortgage servicers accountable and find solutions to blight in communities caused by Vacant and Abandoned houses. A ZOMBIE home is defined as a vacant and abandoned home with a delinquent mortgage.
When our team receives complaints from the community, we take the following steps to best determine how we can find a solution. We research the property to find out if there is a mortgage and to identify the responsible parties. If there is a mortgage, we file a complaint with the Department of Financial Services (DFS) who oversees complaints about vacant homes and relays concerns directly to the mortgage servicer. We continue to follow up with DFS and the mortgage servicer to ensure that the property is brought into compliance. While we receive and respond to hundreds of complaints about vacant properties across Erie County, we have chosen to maintain a list of priority properties so that we can focus our efforts.
DISCLAIMER: The ZOMBIES Initiative acts as a tool and resource for community members and municipalities. We do not make policies or legal decisions regarding Zombie homes. Our goal is always to help facilitate solutions to blight, and this work is not possible without the cooperation and participation of the community, local officials and municipalities.
1. Heussy Street, Buffalo 14215
Property Concerns: Overgrown grass, yard debris, collapsing porch – porch sloping and overhang is bowing and collapsing in the middle.
Date Added to Priority Property List: July 2023
Municipal Contact: Sean Myers, Housing Inspector
Mortgage Servicer: Ocwen Financial Corporation
Mortgage Servicer Contact Information:
Ocwen
2000 Midlantic Dr., Suite 410A
Mount Laurel, NJ 08054
2. North Drive, Lackawanna, 14218
Property Concerns: Overgrown grass, animals/rodents, yard debris, deteriorating and unsecured RV, down trees, peeling paint, unsecured/damaged shed.
Date Added to Priority Property List: January 2023
Municipal Contact: Steve Balon, Code Enforcement Officer
Mortgage Servicer: Cenlar FSB
Mortgage Servicer Contact Information:
Cenlar
425 Phillips Blvd.
Ewing, NJ 08618
Phone: 1-800-223-6527
3. Laird Avenue, Buffalo, 14207
Property Concerns: Demolition Needed
Date Added to Priority Property List: April 2023
Municipal Contact: Sean Myers, Housing Inspector
Mortgage Servicer: Ocwen Financial Corporation
Mortgage Servicer Contact Information:
Ocwen
2000 Midlantic Dr., Suite 410A
Mount Laurel, NJ 08054
4. Daisy Place, Buffalo 14208
Property Concerns: Yard debris, damaged porch, overgrown grass and weeds, peeling paint, collapsing garage.
Date Added to Priority Property List: February 2023
Municipal Contact: Sean Myers, Housing Inspector
Mortgage Servicer: Compu-Link
Mortgage Servicer Contact Information:
Compu-Link
260 West 39 Street, Suite 302
New York, NY 10018
Phone: 212-695-5465