Government spends $40 million mowing lawns of empty homes

[n2doc]

By Sarah Laskow
The U.S. government owns 200,000 foreclosed homes. And to keep those empty homes looking spiffy for would-be buyers, the government has to keep up appearances — including the appearance of the lawn. As a result, we taxpayers are forking over $40 million for lawn-mowing at these uninhabited houses.

Now, in the vast scheme of government spending, $40 million doesn’t mean that much. But $40 million just to cater to this weird national lawn obsession feels over the top. Besides, there are so many other options for maintaining lawns! The government might want to look into no-mow lawn mixes, which tend to need little upkeep or chemical assistance and to do better in droughts. Alternatively, we hear that sheep do a great job mowing lawns while saving money. Think about it, Uncle Sam.
http://grist.org/list/government-spends-40-million-mowing-lawns-of-empty-homes/

[Vinca]

1. Plan B: Sell off the homes to the highest bidder . . . immediately.

Maybe the foreclosed home owner will get lucky and can get the house back on the cheap.

[Warren Stupidity]

2. Government spends 200 dollars a year on lawn mowing per house.

Seems pretty reasonable. Eventually these houses, assets that are owned by the people of the united states, will be sold, as the housing market recovers, at reasonable prices Meanwhile routine maintenance expenses will be incurred

[lunatica]

3. Who says government doesn't create jobs?