Vacant properties are often viewed as neighborhood liabilities, but some communities are finding ways to turn them into valuable resources.
A recent Shelterforce article highlights several New York communities repurposing vacant and deteriorated properties into emergency, transitional, and permanent supportive housing.
One example from Wayne County is particularly noteworthy: renovating a deteriorated property into 12 single-occupancy housing units reportedly saved the county approximately $70,000 in 2023 compared with hotel placements for individuals experiencing homelessness.
These initiatives demonstrate that vacant properties can offer opportunities beyond traditional redevelopment. With the right partnerships, funding, and planning, they can help address housing insecurity while potentially reducing public expenditures.
It also reinforces the importance of understanding a community’s vacant property inventory. Identifying vacant properties, their responsible parties, and their circumstances is an important first step in evaluating opportunities for productive reuse.
To view the article, please click here.