Vacancy

Brendan O’Brien, author of “Homesick,” talks with us about his new book and what he's learned about the effects of short-term rentals in communities like Flagstaff, Arizona; Bozeman, Montana; and St. George, Utah.

February 28, 2024 - Shelterforce Magazine

A glut of office buildings in the pro-development state is leading to some of the highest vacancy rates in the country, even as population growth spikes.

October 10, 2023 - The Wall Street Journal

A new tax plan would reform the city’s famously low vacancy tax rates in an effort to stimulate more housing development and limit speculation.

June 11, 2023 - Urbanize Detroit

Abandoned properties can be a burden on a community, bringing everything from negative curb appeal to an increase in crime. Using these properties for positive community development can kill two birds with one stone.

July 7, 2022 - Devin Partida

Is the existence of vacant apartments an excuse not to build new housing?

February 10, 2020 - Michael Lewyn

Even though they often occupy valuable real estate, some Boston properties have sat vacant in various states of limbo for years.

July 2, 2019 - The Boston Globe

Vacancy rates are up to 7.5 percent in greater Seattle, and many landlords are offering deals like a month's free rent.

July 1, 2018 - The Seattle Times

All that empty acreage means that these big, rapidly developing cities don’t really have to sprawl.

June 11, 2018 - CommercialCafe

Amazon is placeless. The company doesn't have a physical presence, create jobs, or pay taxes in most of the places where it does business — and it's having a profound impact on the health of cities and towns, a new report finds.

December 13, 2016 - Institute for Local Self-Reliance

Vacancy has left parts of the Midwest shattered, resulting in an insecurity which invokes a diluted "fight or flight" response. Restoring the psychological landscape of cities is a difficult, but essential, first step, says Richey Piiparinen.

August 10, 2011 - Rust Wire

Rust Belt poster child Youngstown, Ohio made waves almost a decade ago with its revolutionary plan for "controlled shrinkage." But progress has been slow in a political system still wired for growth.

July 5, 2011 - Streetsblog Capitol Hill

Depopulation and empty houses are creating modern day ghost towns throughout America. This piece introduces the latest class of emptying areas.

April 7, 2011 - 24/7 Wall St.

Thanks to the National Vacant Properties Campaign for another important conference on vacant properties - this time in Louisville.  I was duly impressed with the first conference on the subject a year and a half ago but what struck me this time was the growing diversity of voices concerned with the issue. At the last conference, I (and I assume many others) had the feeling that it was a therapy session of sorts for like-minded spirits.  "Older industrial" cities were sharing information and ideas because, while all cities are unique, we share a lot of the same challenges.  

June 8, 2009 - Scott Page

The 2008 Summer Olympics brought a boom of construction to host city Beijing. But now, six months later, much of the office space built in the lead up to the games sits empty -- and likely will for years.

February 24, 2009 - Los Angeles Times

I had the opportunity to spend a day at the Vacant Properties conference late last month which, if you’re not familiar with the “movement,” you should be.  Granted it’s not for everyone.  At the opening plenary session, the moderator asked “who is here from a weak market city?”  A room full of hands went up with a collective giggle.  It felt like an AA meeting for cities.  Admitting you have a problem is the first step toward addressing it.   

October 23, 2007 - Scott Page