* Warning: This is an unofficial, introductory copy of the bill.
The official copy considered by the City Council is the first reader copy.
Introductory*
City of Baltimore
Council Bill R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Porter
A Resolution Entitled
A Council Resolution concerning
title
Informational Hearing - Studying Options to rid Baltimore City of Vacant Properties
For the purpose of inviting representatives from the Baltimore City Law Department, the Department of Housing and Community Development, and the Department of Health to discuss the feasibility of certain specific recommendations to more efficiently and rapidly improve the ability of Baltimore City to remedy vacant dwellings.
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Recitals
Vacant homes and properties in Baltimore City have become one of the top issues plaguing the City as it relates to other serious issues such as environmental health, illegal dumping, drug activity, and violent crime. Many vacant homes across the City are structurally unsound and therefore pose a substantial risk to life and nearby property. Despite momentous efforts by the City to remove or repair longstanding vacant properties, a 2019 report indicated that while the city took action to remedy over 1,500 vacant properties within 8 months, another 1,300 new vacant properties were reported in the same 8-month time frame. Currently, the number of vacant homes in the City is well above 15,000.
Vacant homes have become sites for those who dump waste illegally and for drug dealers to stash and perform illegal sales activity. For residents who struggle with substance addiction, vacant homes become havens for illicit drug activity, making the experience even more dangerous as vacant ...
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