The city and state are investing $3 billion in rescuing vacant residential properties to promote homeownership and reduce blight.
Baltimore officials are taking steps to transform vacant homes into usable housing to create more affordable housing and eliminate ‘blight,’ report Dillon Mullan and Dan Belson. Maryland Governor Wes Moore set a goal of transitioning 5,000 units to “homeownership or other positive outcomes” in the next five years.
The city is combining state and city funding to initiate a $3 billion effort aimed at repurposing the city’s 13,000 vacant homes over the next 15 years, with $300 million coming from an industrial development authority and tax increment financing (TIF) bonds. “The TIF structure would allow the city to borrow millions of dollars to help fund the acquisition, remediation and sale of vacant properties. The debt would be paid off with new tax revenue expected to be generated by the improved properties.” Unlike prior TIF initiatives, this proposal would cover vacant properties in a noncontiguous area to include parts of the city with high vacancy rates.
Under a new state law enacted earlier this year, Maryland jurisdictions will be allowed to create vacancy taxes to stimulate development and prevent property owners from letting vacant homes or lots languish unused.
FULL STORY: State and Local Officials Eye Vacant Houses for Repurposing
Checking in on Detroit’s Housing Renaissance
Efforts by the city and residents have generated 17,000 new housing units in the last five years.
Newark Kicks Off $1 Home Sale Program
The city sold seven properties as part of an effort to revive blighted sites and encourage housing production.
Vacancy Tax Considered in Toronto
Owning a home with no one living in it could soon come with a penalty in Toronto.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).
DARTSpace Platform Streamlines Dallas TOD Application Process
The Dallas transit agency hopes a shorter permitting timeline will boost transit-oriented development around rail stations.
LA County Creating Action Plan to Tackle Extreme Heat
Los Angeles County is creating a Heat Action Plan to help communities stay safe during extreme heat, with steps like adding more shade, improving buildings, and supporting the neighborhoods most at risk.
Maryland Plans Quick-Build Complete Streets Projects
The state will use low-cost interventions to improve road safety in five Maryland counties.
Downtown Los Angeles Gears Up for Growth
A new report highlights Downtown L.A.’s ongoing revival through major housing projects, adaptive reuse, hospitality growth, and preparations for global events in the years ahead.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Charlotte
Municipality of Princeton
Roanoke Valley-Alleghany Regional Commission
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)