Housing Tip of the Week - 07/13/2026

The City Council passed and the Mayor signed my bill to add vacant lots to the vacant property tax. The goal of the vacant property tax is to incentivize owners of vacant properties to utilize their property, or ensure the vacant property can be eligible for In-Rem tax foreclosure so we can acquire the property.

The implementation date of the tax was moved to July 1, 2029. It was originally supposed to be enacted this year. While I was disappointed to have to move it back two years, the City was not ready to implement it. We are working on some exceptions where needed, and ensuring residents who purchase rehabbed properties that have VBNs on them still could have the VBNs cleared. You can read more about bill 25-0088 here.