Baltimore Reduces Vacant Homes Through Affordable Housing TIF Bonds

City leaders say the number of vacant homes has dropped from 16,000 to just over 11,800 in recent years.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 2:33am

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A photorealistic studio still life featuring a polished metal key and a small wooden house model arranged on a clean, monochromatic background, symbolizing the city's work to create affordable housing and homeownership opportunities.A symbolic representation of Baltimore's efforts to transform vacant homes into affordable housing opportunities through innovative financing programs.Baltimore Today

Baltimore City is making progress in reducing the number of vacant homes, with the number dropping from 16,000 to just over 11,800 in recent years. The progress is evident in neighborhoods like Park Heights, where developers are renovating vacant homes with the help of the city's Affordable Housing TIF Bond program. The TIF funds allow developers to cover the gap between construction costs and affordable sale prices, enabling them to sell the renovated homes at prices families can afford.

Why it matters

Reducing the number of vacant homes is a key priority for Baltimore, as vacant properties can contribute to blight, crime, and a lack of affordable housing options. The city's use of TIF bonds to support affordable housing development is a strategy aimed at revitalizing neighborhoods, creating homeownership opportunities, and improving the overall quality of life for residents.

The details

In Park Heights, the progress is evident on Loyola Northway, where many homes were previously vacant. Yolanda Jiggetts, the CEO of Park Heights Renaissance, said the area had around 80-85% long-term vacancies, with trees growing out of properties and major blight. Rebirth Development, one of the developers working with Park Heights Renaissance, has already renovated homes on Loyola Northway and is now working on 23 more vacant homes in Park Heights and beyond with the help of the city's Affordable Housing TIF Bond program. The TIF funds cover the gap between construction costs and affordable sale prices, allowing the homes to be sold at prices families can afford.

  • During his State of the City address on Tuesday, Mayor Brandon Scott said the number of vacant homes dropped from 16,000 to just over 11,800 in the past few years.
  • Last year, the city allowed groups and developers to apply for affordable housing TIF bonds.

The players

Brandon Scott

The mayor of Baltimore who announced the progress in reducing vacant homes during his State of the City address.

Yolanda Jiggetts

The CEO of Park Heights Renaissance, a group working to transform vacant homes in the Park Heights neighborhood.

Rebirth Development

A developer working with Park Heights Renaissance to renovate vacant homes in the area using the city's Affordable Housing TIF Bond program.

Regina Hammond

The executive director and founder of the Rebuild Johnston Square Neighborhood Organization, who has been working to eliminate vacant homes in the Johnston Square neighborhood for 40 years.

Sean Closkey

The president of ReBUILD Metro Inc., another recipient of the city's TIF funds that have supported the redevelopment of vacant homes in the Johnston Square neighborhood.

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What they’re saying

“There was probably about 80-85% vacancies, long-term vacancy, trees growing out of properties, major blight in this block.”

— Yolanda Jiggetts, CEO of Park Heights Renaissance

“It's just gap funding. The actual construction cost to buy a house like this and gut it out (and) renovate it costs more than what you can afford to sell it for, so it covers the difference. It allows you to sell it at an affordable price.”

— Shawn, Rebirth Development

“Those projects mean more than affordable housing projects. They mean more opportunity for those who are looking to buy homes.”

— Brandon Scott, Mayor of Baltimore

“When you get it right is when all of those players are at the table and that includes residents, the government and developers working together and that's the key for us.”

— Yolanda Jiggetts, CEO of Park Heights Renaissance

“Total transformation. To see what we've been able to accomplish together as a community in partnership is nothing short of amazing.”

— Regina Hammond, Executive Director and Founder of Rebuild Johnston Square Neighborhood Organization

What’s next

The city plans to continue supporting affordable housing development and vacant home rehabilitation through the Affordable Housing TIF Bond program, with the goal of further reducing the number of vacant properties in Baltimore's neighborhoods.

The takeaway

Baltimore's use of TIF bonds to support affordable housing development is a promising strategy for revitalizing neighborhoods, creating homeownership opportunities, and improving the overall quality of life for residents. By partnering with community organizations and developers, the city is making visible progress in reducing the number of vacant homes and transforming blighted areas into vibrant, mixed-income communities.