Baltimore's push against vacant housing shows positive results

"Vacancy not only blighted the city but also imposed upwards of $210 million in annual public costs, the report said. Vacancy notices have reportedly fell from 16,000 in 2020 to about 12,600 in 2025 a 21% decrease. Baltimore officials say that progress reflects a deliberate shift toward evidence-backed redevelopment. Now, city and state leaders have set a target of zero vacant buildings by 2035. The plan hinges on coordinated action across multiple sectors backed by $3 billion in cross-sector investments to finance neighborhood redevelopment."

"The city committed to a whole blocks, whole city strategy, directing developers to revitalize clusters of vacant homes rather than isolated properties. This approach originally designed by ReBUILD Metro and other housing experts suits the city's aging rowhome stock with shared walls and roofs, Urban Institute said. Efforts also prioritize resident leadership and antidisplacement efforts. The Baltimore Vacants Reinvestment Council provides a forum for community input, while local nonprofits drive much of the implementation."

"The North East Housing Initiative a community land trust and Housing Innovation Program grantee allows residents to choose priority projects, hires community members as staff and provides permanently affordable housing. Major financial institutions and nonprofits are filling funding gaps. JPMorgan Chase has issued grants to local groups through the Housing Innovation Program. The Neighborhood Impact Investment Fund developed a bridge loan product to meet the financing needs of properties with appraisal gaps, while the National Community Stabilization Trust created a fund to acquire and rehabilitate single-family homes"

Vacancy imposed upwards of $210 million in annual public costs and vacancy notices fell from 16,000 in 2020 to about 12,600 in 2025, a 21% decrease. City and state leaders set a target of zero vacant buildings by 2035, relying on coordinated cross-sector action and $3 billion in investments for neighborhood redevelopment. The strategy emphasizes whole-block revitalization of clusters of vacant rowhomes, resident leadership, and antidisplacement measures. Community land trusts and local nonprofits steer implementation, offering permanently affordable housing and hiring community members. Financial institutions and intermediaries created grants, bridge loans, and acquisition funds to close financing gaps. Small developers need more operational funding to scale whole-block projects.

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