How Baltimore's Mayor Is Fighting the City's Vacant Housing Crisis

Baltimore’s persistent vacant housing crisis stems from a legacy of racial redlining, deindustrialization, and population decline, with the number of abandoned properties remaining stagnant for decades. Mayor Brandon Scott addresses this by shifting from short-term mayoral initiatives to a long-term, block-by-block strategy supported by unified state and private capital. A critical component of this revitalization involves utilizing tax increment financing (TIF) across non-contiguous areas to incentivize development in historically disinvested neighborhoods. Furthermore, the city’s success in attracting investment is intrinsically tied to a 60% reduction in gun violence, achieved through data-driven interventions like the Group Violence Reduction Strategy rather than traditional zero-tolerance policing. By prioritizing neighborhood-specific aesthetic needs and mixed-income housing, the administration aims to transform vacant assets into sustainable community hubs while preventing the displacement of long-term residents.