HOUSTON – Theresa Florence has lived in Houston midtown for more than a decade. But despite being just a block from a community Zumba class, she said she won’t walk there.

“These buildings actually make it so I won’t walk to the amenities we have,” Florence said. “This entire block, all four corners are vacant.”

Florence said these buildings aren’t just eyesores. She points to trash piling up, weeds out of compliance with city code, and people moving into the buildings.

“You can see the trash, the weeds that don’t comply with city ordinances. It’s also that there are people living inside of these buildings, which is not safe for them or us,” she said. “I’ve even seen completely naked humans, intimidation of neighbors that come up to cars.”

As of last May, Houston’s Department of Neigh

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