DEVELOPING A VACANT PROPERTY STRATEGY

Each neighborhood can develop a Vacant Property Strategy based upon its own unique characteristics and changing needs. Many neighborhood associations, non-profits, and community development corporations (CDCs) already engage in some sort of vacant property inventory and assessment. Neighbors spread news of new vacancies by word of mouth, take note of the condition of vacant properties, and note how those conditions change over time.While city and county governments have systems in place to address vacant and blighted properties, community-based organized systems of collecting, monitoring, and sharing data could maximize the impact of these governmental programs.

Possible Actions or Responses:

Neighbors, non-profits, or CDCs could gather data regarding vacant houses using the inventory and assessment form provided in this publication. In addition, these community members can use the assessment tools provided here to monitor and record the condition of vacant properties over time. This information will provide a history to that they can share with relevant government departments and elected officials. It will also ensure that as residents change over time, the organizations do not lose this important information because of unorganized non-centralized systems.