The Baltimore Vacants Reinvestment Council, (BVRC) has a big puzzle to solve. With 17 members, the council meets monthly to determine how to address the city’s vacancy problem through a whole-block approach.
This strategy focuses on stabilizing entire blocks rather than tackling vacant properties on a case-by-case basis. The BVRC’s goal is to reduce Baltimore’s vacant housing stock by 5,000 units over the next five years. Priority areas identified include neighborhoods in east, west, northwestern and southwestern Baltimore.
At its fourth meeting since its formation, council members reviewed data on the city’s vacant properties and discussed challenges tied to vacant building notices. A major focus was on ensuring sufficient staffing levels within government agencies and the private sector, to support the initiative.
Read more (and listen) at WYPR.
