It was surprising to see such a frank discussion of the situation in Sheffield during last week’s Blighted Property Review Committee meeting.

That discussion was needed, and it needs to continue.

Phil Gilbert, county tax claim director, said maps of tax sale properties include “big sections” in the Sheffield area, while committee chair Paul Pascuzzi noted that Sheffield is at the top of the list of properties that are part of the blight process. Those are two lists that no township or borough wants to be on.

The housing situation in Sheffield wasn’t created quickly, nor will it be resolved quickly. Sheffield has seen a lack of new home construction, a lack of new commercial development and a largely new board trying to reverse a decades-long problem.

Commissioner Jeff Eggleston said the county is looking at the possibility of a land bank that could help with demolitions and rehabilitation projects as well as grant funding to help with roofs, facades and other building improvements countywide.

Those are all good places to start — as are some matching grant programs and small neighborhood competitions that help spur neighborhood improvements. Such programs take money, but Pennsylvania should reach out to its neighbors at the Jamestown Renaissance Corp. The JRC has experience in helping spur small-scale neighborhood reinvestment in a high-poverty area. Perhaps JRC officials can give Sheffield officials a needed tool in the fight against housing disinvestment while county officials work on tools that need state approval.