Standing in front of a foreclosed home on Elm Street in Rome, Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi announced he's sponsoring legislation to give municipalities the power to address the growing problem of "zombie properties."

Brindisi says the Abandoned Property Neighborhood Relief Act would make banks and mortgage lenders responsible for maintaining properties when they're in foreclosure.

The legislation would also establish a fund for municipalities through civil penalties on mortgagees who do not keep up properties in foreclosure. And it would create an electronic registry with information on homes that are in foreclosure.

Brindisi says one blighted zombie property has the potential to suck the life out of a neighborhood, driving down property values and affecting residents' peace of mind.

He says the number of foreclosed homes in Rome has risen 166% since April of last year.

Jim Rondenelli, WIBX
Jim Rondenelli, WIBX
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