Baltimore Launches Major Initiative to Combat Vacant Housing with New Affordable Housing TIF Funds

Per a press release from the Office of Mayor Brandon M. Scott, the City of Baltimore is initiating a significant effort to address the persistent issue of vacant properties through the newly established City-Wide Affordable Housing Tax Increment Financing (TIF) Funds. This program aims to revitalize underutilized and distressed areas by making funds available for the redevelopment of vacant buildings, with applications opening on September 19. This initiative represents a critical component of the city’s broader strategy to tackle the housing crisis and foster community growth.

Mayor Scott has committed $3 billion over 15 years to resolve the city’s vacant housing challenges, and the Affordable Housing TIF Funds are identified as a key financial tool in this endeavor. The program is designed to channel resources into historically disinvested neighborhoods, with the dual goals of increasing homeownership opportunities and preserving existing community structures. This approach aims to empower local economies by prioritizing small and emerging developers, community development partners, and individuals actively working to combat the problem of vacant properties. The City-Wide Affordable Housing TIF is noted as one of the nation’s first non-contiguous TIF Districts and is pioneering in its focus on local economic stimulation.

Residents and interested parties are encouraged to learn more about the program through a series of virtual information sessions. These sessions will detail the program’s mechanics, eligibility criteria for applicants, and the anticipated impact on reducing vacant properties within the designated TIF District. The first session is scheduled for Monday, September 15, 2025, at 1:00 p.m., with a follow-up session on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. Both sessions will be held online, and registration is available at https://bit.ly/TIFInfoSession. The target audience for these sessions includes developers, community-based organizations, long-term residents, property owners within the TIF District, and any stakeholders invested in neighborhood revitalization efforts.

The Affordable Housing TIF Program is set to provide up to $150 million in bond proceeds, which will be disbursed through several application rounds. These funds are intended to support neighborhood-level, block-by-block redevelopment initiatives, with a particular focus on Baltimore’s communities that have experienced historical disinvestment. The current application round specifically targets the redevelopment of vacant buildings for residential purposes. Importantly, the funds are restricted to properties located within the City-Wide Affordable Housing TIF District. A significant aspect of the program is its funding model, which offers TIF funds as grants. This means there will be no repayment requirement, a structure designed to help mitigate appraisal gaps, accelerate the pace of development, and ensure the creation and preservation of affordable housing units.

This program is expected to yield substantial benefits for Baltimore’s residents and its economic landscape. By bringing vacant properties back into productive use, the initiative aims to increase the city’s tax base, thereby generating much-needed revenue. More profoundly, the city anticipates that the increased housing values resulting from these redevelopment efforts will contribute to the creation of generational wealth for its residents. This strategic investment by the city is envisioned to transform neglected properties into thriving homes and vibrant community assets, thereby stabilizing neighborhoods and enhancing housing options.

For further details on the program, including application guidelines, individuals can visit the Department of Housing and Community Development’s website at dhcd.baltimorecity.gov.

Article by Mel Anara, based upon information from the Office of Mayor Brandon M. Scott

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