Baltimore’s push against vacant housing shows positive results

Recent efforts to cut down on vacant residential properties in Baltimore have proven to be effective, according to new Urban Institute data.

By 2020, the city had more than 16,000 vacant buildings and a residential vacancy rate of 7.7%.

In parts of east and west Baltimore, the rate was nearly one in three houses.

“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.

Community engagement

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

Remaining challenges, a blueprint for other cities

Despite momentum, many community-based developers lack the scale to handle whole-block redevelopment.

“Additional funding targeted to operational capacity would help small developers to work on multiple projects at a time,” the report noted.

Even with hurdles ahead, Baltimore’s efforts are being closely watched.

“The city-led and citywide whole-block approach, emphasis on community engagement, and cross-sector investment has created a surge in revitalization across Baltimore,” the report said. “The public sector’s strong leadership has galvanized action from the nonprofit, philanthropic and private sectors.

“For other cities experiencing growing vacancy challenges, Baltimore offers a successful model.”