BALTIMORE (AP) — Maryland Gov. Wes Moore signed an executive order Tuesday that aims to transform 5,000 vacant properties in Baltimore into homeownership or other positive outcomes in five years.
The order creates a program called Reinvest Baltimore. It will coordinate state, city, nonprofit and for-profit partners’ efforts to eliminate concentrations of vacant properties and revitalize neighborhoods.
“Baltimore’s vacant property crisis is an issue that cannot wait — because in order to have a strong state, you must have a strong housing market, where people own more than they owe,” Moore, a Democrat, said in a statement. “I want to thank all the partners who raised their hand to be a part of this work that will open paths to work, wages, and wealth for Baltimoreans and grow our state’s economy.”…