Vacant Housing

The City of Baltimore only has two contractors, found through a standardized procurement method, to do demolition work. A prominent group member questioned if that was enough to meet the city’s need as it ratchets up its goal of reducing 5,000 vacant properties in five years.

Ever since Governor Wes Moore signed an executive order in October to establish the Baltimore Vacants Reinvestment Council, there has been a lot of anticipation surrounding the city's efforts to tackle its vacant property crisis.

The hope — better homes, neighborhoods and a growing tax base.

“In many ways, I think today we mark the closure of that chapter of uncertainty that has plagued our city — and close it for good,” said Mayor Brandon Scott.

Brandon Scott’s administration has seen high turnover in top offices. But the city has also seen reductions in homicides and vacant housing, issues that have plagued Baltimore for decades.

Are the vacants in a once thriving community bringing in squatters or are the squatters hindering progress? Organizers, investors and residents grapple with how to best revitalize the area.

BUILD, the influential, multifaith nonprofit group, is fighting to ensure that certain neighborhoods are included in the governor’s plan to redevelop vacants in Baltimore City.

With an executive order Tuesday, the Maryland governor launched a new initiative to address the decades-long issue of vacant properties in the city.

Baltimore’s City Council is looking at a new and untested approach with a special financing package aimed at revitalizing blighted neighborhoods.

During the town hall, attendees formed small groups to discuss strategies for attracting more residents, resources for renters and homeowners and improving affordability.