There's not a single panacea that will cure Buffalo's myriad housing woes. A 2008 Buffalo News study found that Buffalo had the third highest rate of vacant housing among the 100 largest cities in the country. One estimate puts the number of vacant houses at over 10,000. There is no doubt, however, that one extremely important tool in combating the blight and decay that come along with scads of vacant houses is the Buffalo Housing Court. Problem properties that are in violation of city codes can be brought through Housing Court by the city inspectors. Once a property is in Housing Court, the Court is able to use the many tools available through his position to see that the property is properly maintained. Amongst those tools are the abilities to order repairs, sales or demolitions and levy fines.