A City of Houston program used to address neglected properties is currently paused, leaving some Midtown residents questioning what happens next as they continue reporting abandoned buildings they say have become safety concerns.

A city email sent to Midtown resident Theresa Florence confirms Houston has paused its visual blight abatements while officials update enforcement procedures.

The city says inspectors can still issue violation notices, but the cleanup process residents have relied on to address certain property problems is currently unavailable.