Dropping Anchor In The Neighborhood

Concentrated rehabilitation works better than scattered-site infill to revitalize Baltimore's struggling neighborhoods.

1 minute read

November 2, 2003, 9:00 AM PST

By David Gest


People's Homesteading Group, "a 20-year-old nonprofit that converts vacant houses into homes for low- and moderate-income families," recently launched a campaign to clean up a block of 22 abandoned houses in Baltimore. Like the city's government, the Group believes that "piecemeal rehab strategy [is] ineffective in helping turn around neighborhoods." They hope that the concentrated effort, in addition to raising funds for future rehabilitation, will "bring a stabilizing effect to the area," enlivening the neighborhood's appeal to potential homeowners. This project "is part of a larger effort called 'Anchors of Hope' in an approximately 20-square-block area that includes greening, a proposed small commercial development and spot rehabs of another dozen units."

Thanks to David Gest

Thursday, October 30, 2003 in The Baltimore Sun

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

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

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Google street view of red brick multi-story power plant building in Pittsburgh, PA.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower

A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

July 4 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Cyclist on protected bike lane in middle of street in Washington D.C. with Washington Monument obelisk visible in background.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”

The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

July 4 - Streetsblog USA

Blue and silver Amtrak train at small station.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train

The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

July 3 - New Orleans City Business