About the campaign
In Baltimore, MD, historically Black and historically redlined communities have suffered the impact of wealth extraction and long-term disinvestment for more than 100 years. Intentionally discriminatory housing policies and practices have wreaked immeasurable damage on Black neighborhoods and families. This damage is not just structural; it is economic, educational, criminal, social, environmental, health-related, and has resulted in thousands of vacant structures and lots that are largely concentrated in Baltimore's Black neighborhoods.
There are 15,000 vacant properties and 15,000 vacant lots across the city and as a result, $200M of revenue is lost each year that could instead be invested in our communities. Increased neighborhood vacancy correlates with higher rates of violent crime, poor health and educational outcomes, environmental hazards, and decreased property values. To heal the disproportionate harm of vacancy on Baltimore's Black neighborhoods, we must restore our communities by reclaiming our vacants, and redistributing wealth to those from whom it has been stripped.
Black communities have suffered long enough. The time for change is now and it cannot wait. As such, we have launched the #CampaignforCommunityControl to establish Baltimore City's first Land Banking Authority. This authority will operate independently, but in partnership with City government to acquire vacant properties and lots to make them accessible for redevelopment according to community identified priorities. Establishing this land bank will provide development opportunities to community members who have an interest in community investment, homeownership, farming, land stewardship, and more. Lastly, establishing a land bank will help to ensure that Baltimore's properties remain in the hands of and for the best interest of community members - not large corporations, greedy/absentee landlords, non-profits engaged in poverty maintenance, speculative investors, or profit focused developers with no regard for neighborhood outcomes. To be specific, this campaign is about initiating reparative property development by current, legacy, and displaced residents in disinvested communities. This includes the development of land, housing, recreational, retail, and other commercial spaces.
To do this, we need your support! Express your desire for this community based tool by signing and sharing the petition, sharing this website, following us on socials, and attending the upcoming City Council hearing for bill 23-0363!
