New Brunswick Addresses Vacant and Abandoned Properties
Industry Update
April 22, 2023
Source: www.tapinto.net
Redevelopment is a key part of neighborhood revitalization throughout the city, as is evident in the number of properties that have been greatly improved over the past few years.
The strategy includes a concentrated effort to address abandoned and vacant properties that can quickly become eyesores and dissuade neighbors from investing in their own homes.
“Housing isn’t about just building new; we have to maintain and improve what we already have,” New Brunswick Mayor James Cahill said. “Vibrant neighborhoods are key to a successful city. Dilapidated and vacant houses can lead to problems and take viable housing off the market.”
In mid-2017, city officials launched an aggressive effort to address vacant or abandoned homes. There were 201 properties identified, both vacant and abandoned.
There is an important distinction between an abandoned property and a vacant property. A vacant property is empty for a minimum of six months and has had no construction work for six consecutive months. An abandoned property is vacant, and is also a nuisance, tax delinquent, with stalled construction or deemed in need of rehabilitation.
Of the 201 homes identified in 2017, only about 10% remain vacant.
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