The city of Barberton is using state funds to target more blighted homes for demolition this year. Mayor Bill Judge tells AkronNewsNow " A little over $1.3 million we've been using and as of to date have torn down about 80 to 85 homes, with another 100 or so scheduled to come down."

Judge says the funding from the Moving Ohio Forward demolition program will also help the city assist other homeowners who need help in paying for repairs to their homes through the city's new Barberton Forward-Neighborhoods First program.

" There are some homes in our neighborhoods that don't need to be demolished, just people need a little bit of help. So we're working with non-profits and local area banks for different loans and different financing to help people with roof repair, siding and painting and those types of programs," says Judge.

The Mayor says the city is working with non-profit agencies and local banks for loans and financing to help people pay for such things as roof and siding replacement and painting to rehab their homes to city codes.

Mayor Judge says Barberton also plans to utilize the lots made vacant by blighted home demolitions. He says the city plans to purchase and re-develop the lots either by building new housing, rezoning for commercial use or creating green space.