Cleveland Removes Controversial 'I Buy Crack Houses' Billboards After Backlash

A controversial billboard campaign in Cleveland by investor John Williams, featuring slogans like "Yes! I buy crack houses" and "Your house is trash? I’ll pay cash," has sparked significant backlash from residents and city leaders. While Williams defends the ads as a blunt but effective way to draw attention to abandoned properties and promote affordable housing renovations, many community members and officials, including Cleveland City Council President Blaine Griffin, have condemned the messaging as disrespectful, racially insensitive, and harmful to neighborhood pride. The campaign has been criticized for stereotyping and trivializing the struggles of predominantly Black neighborhoods, with calls for the billboards to be removed. After public outcry and direct appeals from local activists, about eight billboards were taken down, though some remain. Officials are investigating how the ads were approved and exploring options to prevent similar campaigns in the future, emphasizing the need to approach revitalization with empathy and respect. The controversy highlights tensions between free speech rights and community sensitivity in urban renewal efforts.