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. Aurora Avenue, West Seneca 14224
Property Concerns: Broken windows, down branches and overgrown shrubs/grass, skunk and rodent issue, deteriorating roof with missing shingles.
Date Added to Priority Property List: April 2023
Municipal Contact: Doug Busse, Housing Inspector
Mortgage Servicer: Mr. Cooper
Mortgage Servicer Contact Information:
Mr. Cooper
Attn: Customer Relations
PO Box 619098
Dallas, TX 75261-9741
Phone: 888-364-2432
3. Highland Ave, City of Tonawanda 14150
Property Concerns: Broken siding, chimney (loose/falling bricks), yard debris, damaged sidewalk, and driveway in need of repair.
Date Added to Priority Property List: January 2023
Municipal Contact: Joel Greinert, Code Enforcement Office
Mortgage Servicer: Gregory Funding LLC
Mortgage Servicer Contact Information:
Gregory Funding
Attn: Errors & Inquiries
PO Box 230668
Tigard, Oregon 97281-0668
866-712-5698
4. Lake Street, Angola 14006
Property Concerns: Collapsing roof, broken sidewalk, deteriorating siding, yard debris, animal infestation.
Date Added to Priority Property List: February 2023
Municipal Contact: Hannah Dorosz, Deputy Village Clerk
Mortgage Servicer: Rushmore Loan Management
Mortgage Servicer Contact Information:
Rushmore Loan Management Services LLC
Attn: Notices of Error, Requests for Information and Complaints
PO Box 52262
Irvine, CA 92619
Online complaints: Submit Electronic Complaints – Rushmore Loan Management Services (rushmorelm.com)
5. 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
6. 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
7. 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
8. Alsace Avenue, Buffalo 14220
Property Concerns: Overgrown grass, animal infestation, yard debris, mold, water damage/standing water in basement from burst pipe.
Date Added to Priority Property List: July 2023
Municipal Contact: Sean Myers, Housing Inspector
Mortgage Servicer: LoanCare LLC
Mortgage Servicer Contact Information:
LoanCare
Attn: Office of the Customer
PO Box 8068
Virginia Beach, VA 23450
Phone: 1-800-274-6600
9. Fox Meadow Lane, Town of Orchard Park 14127
Property Concerns: Overgrown grass and shrubs, yard debris, down tree branches, collapsing fence
Date Added to Priority Property List: May 2023
Municipal Contact: Robert Rendon – Code Enforcement/Property Maintenance
Mortgage Servicer: Key Bank
Mortgage Servicer Contact Information:
Key Bank
Larkin Branch
726 Exchange St
Buffalo, NY 14210
Phone: 716-819-5900
10. Lincoln Street, Depew, NY 14043
Property Concerns: Severely fire damaged, missing siding, debris, damaged front steps.
Date added to Priority Property List: October 2023
Municipal Contact: Kathryn Zaganiaczyk, Assistant Code Enforcement Officer
Mortgage Servicer: Citizens Bank
Mortgage Servicer Contact Information:
Citizens Bank
1722 Walden Avenue
Cheektowaga, NY 14225
P: 800-234-6002