SAN ANTONIO — The Dignowity Hills Historic District is all too familiar with vacant or abandoned properties and neighbors want something to be done.
The worst case scenario for homes like this happened after a vacant historic home that could have been salvaged caught fire.
Officials are still working to find out what started the fire on Tuesday. Neighbors told KENS 5 they have seen many squatters and homeless people going in-and-out of the property on the 1200 block of Crockett Street.
This house is one of a few that residents say are a consistent problem in their neighborhood.
"About 15 to 25 percent of our properties are vacant," said Monica Sovino, a concerned neighbor and historian.
Sovino said she would like to see more of these houses fixed up. She added that they add value to the community and if fixed up properly, they would contribute in a way that more housing could be provided to those who desperately need it.
In the case of the house on Crockett, neighbors believe it's between ownership and that's why it's currently abandoned.
Sylvia Espino is another resident in the area who said she wishes people understood the area they live in and are moving to.
"They need to respect the history of the east side," Espino added.
Espino said the current neighbors love the history of their area and respect it. She added that it's those who take over ownership after a loved one passes or someone moves in, that a house just sits there.
"We need to hold the owners accountable for securing their properties," she said.