The Richland County Commissioners received an update Thursday on its Neighborhood Stabilization Program.   

  The city of Mansfield wants to use the federal grant money to buy and rehab five houses.  But, that may be easier said than done.

  Denny Lowe, a property specialist for the Ohio Regional Development Corporation, said the latest issue is trying to find houses that qualify under the strict requirements.

  "They have to be in the proper census tract," Lowe said. "They've got to be foreclosed, they've got to be vacant and they still have to be rehabbed."

  "So, putting all these things together really narrows down the homes available to purchase," Lowe said.
    
  The three-year, one-million-dollar grant, is paying to demolish blighted properties and to buy and rehabilitate unblighted properties in Mansfield.