SUNNYSLOPE - Phoenix is knocking down three rental units that brought woe to the Sunnyslope community.

The trash at 8614 N. Third St., just south of Dunlap Avenue, was so dense that there was just a little clean path in the yard, said city staff. The timbers were rotting. Vagrants were living at the house, said Kate Krietor, housing development manager.

Police found drug use and prostitution there, said Jennifer Liewer, Neighborhood Services Department spokeswoman.

"There wasn't even a roof in some places," Liewer said, looking at photos.

The house is across from an elementary school. Resident Betty Bellanger, who runs an after-school program, said children could see the prostitutes at the house.

"Kids would say, 'Why is that woman dressed like that?' " Bellanger said.

The city opened a file on the property in 1997, Liewer said, and eventually bought it, Krietor said.

The building walls will come crashing down at 9 a.m. today.

A non-profit developer will build a single-family house for people to live in as owners instead of renters.

"I am very glad to see it go," Bellanger said.

The demolition is part of a string of city efforts to reduce blight and crime in the area and encourage developers to build houses.

Last year, the city gave $1 million to a developer building affordable housing nearby.

The city also dedicated an attorney to work with an inspector to find and fix problems.