Vacant lots pose challenges for the city’s goals of promoting transit-oriented development.

A report from Elevated Chicago, the Institute for Housing Studies at DePaul University, and community groups points out that over one-third of Chicago’s vacant lots are located near “L” train stations. “The data showed more than 14,700 vacant lots in the city were close to a CTA train station as of July 2023. Nearly 74% of the lots were within predominantly Black communities.”
As Sarah Freishtat explains in the Chicago Tribune, the lots are primarily concentrated in historically Black neighborhoods, “a glaring symbol of historic disinvestment.”
The high prevalence of vacant lots is a problem for the city’s transportation agency, the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), the report notes. “Sometimes breeding environmental hazards and safety concerns, unmaintained vacant lots can limit how willing residents are to walk to transportation and other neighborhood amenities, shaping when and how residents take public transit and the ability of transit, often considered a neighborhood asset, to connect communities to the rest of the city.”
FULL STORY: Many of Chicago’s vacant lots are near transit, posing challenges for neighborhoods and CTA, study says

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

California Invests Additional $5M in Electric School Buses
The state wants to electrify all of its school bus fleets by 2035.

Austin Launches $2M Homelessness Prevention Fund
A new grant program from the city’s Homeless Strategy Office will fund rental assistance and supportive services.

Alabama School Forestry Initiative Brings Trees to Schoolyards
Trees can improve physical and mental health for students and commnity members.
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