Rehabilitation of Vacant Housings and Rebuilding of Distressed Areas in the Eastern Coast of the US

Abstract

A study of countermeasures of vacant properties and distressed areas in the City of Baltimore, New Jersey and Massachusetts States revealed that 1) countermeasures vary by city and state, 2) small municipalities need supports of State Governments for implementation of countermeasures, 3) there are several tools to transfer vacant properties from a municipality to a rehabilitation entity faster, more assured, and cheaper, 4) a municipality with less vacant properties addresses in an individual manner, while that with more addresses in an area-wide manner, 5) rebuilding of a distressed area requires a committed neighborhood organization and a community development corporation, an authorized rebuilding plan, supports of a municipality, financial resources, and potential of real estate market.