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For an example of the problems created by the city's abandoned houses, it's hard to top Jo Ann Slater's story.

Slater says her two-story frame home in the 1300 block of Locust Street needs $10,000 in repairs because of damage caused by the vacant houses on both sides.

"I've lived there for 20 years, and I'm in danger of losing my home," says Slater, who confronted city officials following Wednesday's council meeting. "I'm 62 years old. I have nowhere else to go, and I don't think I should have to lose my home because of two condemned houses."

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The houses, built in the early 1900s, are one block off of Walnut Street in the city's Third Ward. Zion Baptist Church is a few doors away.

Slater, who works in a beauty salon, says the roof, porch and foundation of her home has been damaged by falling debris and other problems caused by the empty houses.

"The house at 1316 is a burned-out shell, and it's dangerous," Slater says. "I have great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews come to my home, and I'm afraid they're going to get hurt."

Slater, who says she has complained to the city on at least eight separate occasions, was told by a contractor that because the houses on Locust are so close together, repairs to her house would be more difficult and costly than usual.

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County tax records indicate that 1316 Locust is owned by Eugene Williams of "no known address."

The home at 1312 is owned by one of Slater's neighbors.

Court records indicate that thousands of dollars in delinquent taxes --- some dating back to the mid-1980s --- are due to the city, McKeesport Area School District, Allegheny County and GLS Capital, which in 2000 purchased many older tax liens.

Both houses have been condemned by the city.

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Mayor Jim Brewster says the city hasn't been ignoring Slater's pleas for help, but it has taken time to move the houses through the legal process required to demolish them --- and to find the money to pay for the work.

The city has spent $3 million in the last five years demolishing more than 400 vacant houses, Brewster says. Another 400 are slated for demolition.

On July 15, city officials will hold condemnation proceedings on an additional 65 houses.

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The city has been trying to attack groups of abandoned houses simultaneously, Brewster says, but may be able to attack the two buildings on Locust Street because they're posing a danger to Slater's home.

The mayor says he spoke to Building Inspector Chris House on Wednesday morning to discuss Slater's case.

In addition, the mayor says, residents who want to have a house torn down at their own expense may borrow the money from the city, and make monthly payments on the balance.

City Solicitor J. Jason Elash told Slater Wednesday night he would contact local agencies, including McKeesport Housing Corp., that might be able to offer assistance to pay for the repairs her home needs.

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Meanwhile, a request by Allegheny County for $22 million in federal money (including $800,000 for the city) to demolish abandoned houses was turned down, Brewster says.

However, the city and county plan to revise the proposal and ask again, the mayor says.