DHCD outlines Reframe Baltimore whole-block plan, cites 12,010 vacant buildings and lender, lien reforms
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Summary
Commissioner Alice Kennedy told the Housing and Economic Development Committee that Reframe Baltimore targets elimination of vacant properties over 15 years, cited 12,010 vacant buildings and described disposition steps, LDA templates, lien-abatement work and proposed lending support for small developers.
Commissioner Alice Kennedy told the City Council's Housing and Economic Development Committee on Monday that Reframe Baltimore is the mayor's "comprehensive strategy to eliminate vacant properties in the city of Baltimore in 15 years," and described a set of operational reforms intended to speed property dispositions and protect existing residents from displacement.
Kennedy said the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) currently counts 12,010 vacant buildings in Baltimore and has driven that figure down by "over 25%" since Mayor Scott took office. She framed the initiative around "whole-block" outcomes — defined as both sides of a street from corner to corner — and said the city will begin fiscal-year '27 block-level planning in March with cross-agency participation.
The presentation detailed how DHCD disposes of city-controlled properties. For many addresses the department uses a fixed-price offer that requires applicants to show proof of $90,000 ("whether or not that is cash on hand, that could be a rehab mortgage, it could be a line of credit," Kennedy said) along with background checks and development budgets. Kennedy said the city uses a fixed LDA (land disposition agreement) template approved by the Board of Estimates (BOE) and that non-standard deals are reviewed by the Real Estate Committee before BOE consideration.
Kennedy acknowledged settlement timing varies because developers select title companies and are responsible for scheduling settlement. DHCD aims for settlement within 90 days of BOE approval but said external factors often lengthen that window. To address delays, the department is working with the comptroller's office, Department of Finance and DPW on a lien-abatement process and system reconciliation so that liens do not linger in city systems after court or receivership actions.
Council members raised procedural and equity concerns. Chair James Torrance said the vendor lien process has been a "long standing" problem and suggested the city consider creating a single office responsible for real estate. Several members pressed DHCD on anti-displacement measures and wealth-building for legacy residents; Kennedy cited partnerships such as Live Baltimore's buyback-the-block work and a DHCD effort with a fellow (working title "Protect the Nest") focused on homeownership coaching, credit repair and wraparound services to help renters become homeowners.
On developer capacity, Kennedy described a developer academy to teach zoning, utilities and finance readiness to smaller and emerging minority- and women-owned teams, and cited a developer RFQ pilot in footprints including Broadway East and Coldstream-Homestead-Montebello to pre-vet local firms. She also confirmed the administration is exploring a low-interest pool or line-of-credit for small developers as part of Reframe Baltimore; the pool is not yet operational and DHCD and partners including the Greater Baltimore Committee and private banks are evaluating structures.
Kennedy provided application volumes since March 2024: "over 3,200 paid applications," including roughly 1,200'1,300 for-profit applicants, 341 proposals for rental outcomes and nearly 1,500 homeowner applications, along with dozens of applications from community land trusts and nonprofits. She said about 541 properties are currently in active LDA compliance under DHCD review and outlined the compliance sequence (introductory letter, multi-stage permit checks every three months, 15-day notices to comply and a certificate of completion issued after a use-and-occupancy permit).
Committee members requested specific follow-ups: updated KPIs on the percentage of dispositions completed within a 120-day target, clearer timelines for Buy to Be More website improvements and an update on the comprehensive housing plan and its public-comment schedule. DHCD said it would supply requested KPI counts and timelines in the coming weeks.
The committee did not take votes during the informational session; council members framed the hearing as an opportunity to track operational progress and pressed for tighter timelines, clearer public-facing tools and stronger anti-displacement guardrails as Reframe Baltimore advances.
