Reintroducing Project RATH - Residents Against Terrible Housing

This episode focuses on housing neglect and lack of enforcement in Cleveland Heights, and how it’s impacting property values and neighborhood stability.

We discuss the inconsistency in city response—highlighting areas like Fernway where issues are addressed quickly, versus other neighborhoods where violations are largely ignored.

A major theme is the normalization of neglect (“defining deviancy down”), with repeat-offender landlords facing little consequence. Roughly 400 distressed properties were identified, with about 100 tied to just five landlords.

The episode introduces RATH, an action-driven group modeled after Mothers Against Drunk Driving. Unlike traditional nonprofits, RATH focuses on enforcement—identifying problem properties, contacting owners, and pursuing legal action when necessary (including financial claims for property value impact).

We also emphasize resident involvement—giving homeowners tools and support to take action when the city fails to respond—and explore solutions like proactive “house policing,” fines, and stricter accountability for both landlords and tenants.

Overall, the conversation is a call to restore standards, protect property values, and end the cycle of neglect at the neighborhood level.

[1:10] Mike introduces Project RATH and explains the overall objective and strategy behind the deal.

[5:05] The group discusses the planning process, including how they evaluate opportunities and structure projects for long-term success.

[9:30] They break down key decisions involved in execution, including budgeting, timelines, and managing risk.

[15:10] The conversation shifts to challenges encountered during the project and how they adapt their strategy when things don’t go as planned.

[22:40] They discuss lessons learned from Project RATH and how investors can apply similar thinking to their own deals.