New bill addresses Baltimore's lack of housing amid growing population
Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott introduced the Housing Options and Opportunity Act Monday, which aims to address the lack of housing and the growing population in the city.
The bill would create a new definition in the zoning code for multi-family, low-density homes, which would expand existing zoning laws.
Scott said the bill will allow families in Baltimore to find homes that fit their needs by providing them with more options.
In 2023, Scott passed Baltimore's Tenant's Right of First Refusal law, which gives renters the first opportunity to purchase a home they have been renting if their landlord decides to sell.
More recently, the city hit the $750,000 benchmark in distributing grants to first-time home buyers in the city through Baltimore's Buy Back the Block program.
Along with encouraging homeownership, Baltimore City leaders have also been working to tackle the crisis of vacant homes.
Bmore F.A.S.T. program aims to speed property development
Announced in March, the Bmore F.A.S.T. (Facilitating Approvals and Streamlining Timelines) program involves a $3 million investment aimed at making the property development process more efficient.
The plan would establish a new Director of Permitting and Development Services position within the mayor's office, which will work across agencies to eliminate bottlenecks in the development process.
It will also add a new e-permits platform and self-certification options for qualified professionals,
For developers, the plan includes a new e-permits platform, self-certification options for qualified professionals, simplified developer agreements for public right-of-way work, and a utility coordination program to align with major service providers.
Where does Baltimore's vacant home crisis stand?
Baltimore City has nearly 13,000 vacant homes, which the city plans to rehabilitate over the next 15 years.
Vacant homes have presented dangerous circumstances for Baltimore, including a fire on Stricker Street in 2022, which left three firefighters dead.
In March, a fire tore through 15 homes on North Fulton Avenue. Some of the buildings were occupied by businesses or families while others were vacant.
