The City of Akron has taken the next step in addressing quality of life issues and responding to citizen complaints.

John Valle, who is the Director of the newly formed Department of Neighborhood Assistance tells AkronNewsNow.com that this new approach will help the city better coordinate its services.

"There's four divisions that will be part of the Department of Neighborhood Assistance," Valle says.

"The housing division, the nuisance compliance division, the 3-1-1 call center, and the recreation bureau will all be under one roof to better serve the residents of Akron."

City Council unanimously approved the formation of the department during their meeting Monday evening.

Valle says the new department is more practical for inspectors to address problems at the same house or neighborhood.

Department of Neighborhood Assistance Director John Valle by Akron NewsNow

"We have cross-trained our nuisance compliance inspectors and our people in the housing department where they can go out to one location and write up multiple nuisance violations," Valle said.

'We've been improving in that area over the past several years, and now with this department we can do  better."

He says that by having experienced managers and leadership within the department, more things can be done to help improve Akron's neighborhoods.

"I will be pulling all these resources from these experienced managers that we have, and we will make things easier for residents and block watches in our city to get things done in our neighborhoods."

 Valle also says that he will offer the public the opportunity to speak to him one-on-one to discuss any neighborhood or property concerns that come to mind.