ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- Monroe County is taking a step toward limiting the amount of zombie homes in the area.

The County's Vacant and Abandoned Property Task Force held its first home fair on Saturday with the goal of informing residents about the resources available to them. 

Several financial institutions attended the event and provided information about home loans, tenant rights and home rehabilitation options.

Monroe County Clerk Adam Bello (D) hopes workshops like this can prevent properties from falling into disrepair.

"When houses become vacant and you get these so-called zombie properties, it brings property values down, it invites crime," Bello said. "We see it all over the county, it doesn't matter where you live, the suburbs, the city, the villages. There's always somebody who can point to that vacant house in their neighborhood."

County officials hope the fair will become an annual event.