'I Buy Crack Houses' billboards drawing criticism in Ohio

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WJW) — A billboard that reads “Yes! I Buy Crack Houses,” put up by what appears to be an out-of-state investor, is drawing sharp criticism across the Cleveland area.

After backlash from community members and city officials, that particular sign has been taken down. But others like it remain in place.

Local real estate investors Avery and Tania Mullins said the signs go too far.

“To me? It just wasn’t funny,” said Avery Mullins.

The Mullins, both born and raised in Cleveland, have seen these billboards pop up across the city with slogans ranging from “Yes! I Buy Crack Houses” to “Your House is Trash? I’ll Pay Cash.”

The ads come from John Williams, a self-proclaimed investor from out of state who has launched a high-visibility campaign across the Greater Cleveland Area.

While the messaging may be intended to stand out, some say it’s deeply disrespectful, especially in communities that have long fought against disinvestment.

“I remember when crack first hit,” Avery Mullins said. “I remember what it did to my neighborhood.” Tania elaborated, saying the issue is too delicate to approach without "empathy and heart."

The signs have also drawn the attention of Cleveland City Council President Blaine Griffin, who posted a video in front of the now-empty billboard where the “crack house” message once stood.

“We need to deal with them appropriately," said Griffin. "We need to boycott them, not support them."

Griffin said the city is now looking into how the ads were approved and what recourse, if any, is available. He estimated as many as six billboards may still be up across the city.

“I wish all the signs could come down,” he said. “But we do know people are going to rely on First Amendment rights.”

As for the community, investors like Tania and Avery Mullins said they’ll keep working to restore neighborhoods with care and compassion.

“Never do we put the neighborhood down," Tania Mullins said. “Like, ‘Oh, this is a crack house right here.’ These are people who work hard every day."

As of now, Williams, the man whose face appears on the billboards, has not responded to requests for comment.