Friday, June 15, 2012

Abandoned Homes Plague US Cities

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Some local governments hardest hit by population losses are struggling with what has been left behind: large numbers of abandoned housing units. Census figures released Thursday underscore the problem: In places racked by foreclosure, job loss and a weak economy, housing units haven't fallen as fast as population.

A handful of cities such as Detroit have demolished thousands of housing units over the past few years. Many others — such as Baltimore, where city officials said as many as 10,000 empty buildings need to come down — have seen levels remain flat. Although an eighth of the nation's 800 largest counties have lost population since 2005, fewer than half those have seen declines in housing stock.

"The principal impediment is the cost," said Michael Braverman, deputy commissioner of code enforcement for Baltimore Housing, which tears down 200 to 300 buildings a year.  Read more >>

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