Governor Moore Signs Executive Order to Maximize Economic Potential for Neighborhoods in Baltimore City
ANNAPOLIS, MD – Governor Wes Moore today signed an executive order to establish Reinvest Baltimore, a coordinated effort between the State of Maryland, Baltimore City, and nonprofit and for-profit partners to eliminate concentrations of vacant properties, revitalize neighborhoods and maximize the economic potential and quality of life for residents in Baltimore City.
“Baltimore’s vacant property crisis is an issue that cannot wait – because in order to have a strong state, you must have a strong housing market, where people own more than they owe,” said Gov. Moore. “I want to thank all the partners who raised their hand to be a part of this work that will open paths to work, wages, and wealth for Baltimoreans and grow our state’s economy. The Baltimore Renaissance is here — and just getting started.”
The governor’s order calls for the establishment of the Baltimore Vacants Reinvestment Council which will tap key community, corporate, philanthropic and government leaders to leverage targeted investments to move at least 5,000 vacant properties into homeownership or other positive outcomes over the next five years.
As part of the Reinvest Baltimore initiative, the council will coordinate state and local efforts to address vacancy in Baltimore City and provide timely and accurate information to the governor, including an annual report detailing progress, challenges and recommendations.
“Reinvest Baltimore demonstrates the Moore-Miller Administration’s unwavering commitment to partnership and to not back down from the big challenges facing Marylanders and their communities,” said Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development Secretary Jake Day. “Governor Moore’s historic executive order will open new doors to achieving our shared goals of addressing the city’s high number of vacancies, building stronger neighborhoods, and creating more opportunities for work, wages, and wealth in Baltimore.”
Secretary Day will serve as council chair and Baltimore City Department of Housing and Community Development Commissioner Alice Kennedy will serve as vice chair. Gov. Moore appointed additional council members, including Rev. George Hopkins, co-chair of Baltimoreans United in Leadership Development, and Mark Anthony Thomas, president and chief executive officer of the Greater Baltimore Committee.
The council will also include one member of the Maryland State Senate, appointed by the President of the Senate; one member of the Maryland House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker of the House of Delegates; and one member of the Baltimore City Council, appointed by the Baltimore City Council President.
The council will drive a unified approach to advancing community-based priorities and implementing recommended strategies to maximize investments, reduce vacancy and promote neighborhood renewal in Baltimore City.
“Today marks a pivotal moment for Baltimore and the State of Maryland as Governor Moore takes decisive action to end the crisis of vacant and abandoned housing in our city,” said Baltimoreans United In Leadership Development Co-Chair Rev. George Hopkins. “We know the work ahead of us will be difficult as we confront the legacies of redlining and disinvestment in Baltimore. But we have real hope because of the state’s historic investments during the last legislative session, because of its commitment to an unprecedented partnership that brings together state, city, community, and business leaders, and because of the collective emphasis on measurable results. This kind of bold leadership will be necessary to transform whole blocks, shrink the racial wealth gap, and build an equitable city that prioritizes community voices.”
“Today’s announcement marks a major shift toward progress in addressing Baltimore’s long standing vacancy crisis, a critical economic development priority to catalyze investment in our communities and the metropolitan region,” said Greater Baltimore Committee President and Chief Executive Officer Mark Anthony Thomas. “We look forward to working in collaboration with our partners at the city and state level to leverage these vital financing commitments, which are essential for unlocking additional support for community revitalization, entrepreneurship, and building thriving communities at the heart of our region.”
In accordance with the order, the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development’s Project C.O.R.E. (Creating Opportunities for Revitalization and Equity) program will be refocused as the Baltimore Vacants Reinvestment Initiative, a comprehensive community-driven approach to develop green space, create affordable and mixed use housing, expand opportunities for small business owners and generate jobs.
The initiative will strengthen the partnership between the City of Baltimore and the State of Maryland to create safer, healthier and more attractive spaces for people to live and put down roots in Baltimore.
“Tackling the issue of vacants in Baltimore at scale and ending this decades long crisis is going to take partnership, coordination, and vision,” said Mayor Brandon Scott. “Our commitment to see this work through together is displayed throughout today’s announcement. Since the city launched our $3 billion vision alongside BUILD and GBC last year, our state partners in Governor Moore, Secretary Day, and their teams have been true partners every step of the way. I’m proud to say that this investment is a continuation of that partnership, and this money will be a critical asset in our mission to end the intentional disinvestment in our neighborhoods.”
To support the efforts of Reinvest Baltimore, the governor’s Fiscal Year 2025 budget includes historic increases in funds to certain State Revitalization Programs administered by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, including Baltimore Vacants Reinvestment Initiative and the Baltimore Regional Neighborhoods Initiative. Proposed by Gov. Moore and established by HB1334, the reinvestment initiative will receive a $50 million annual appropriation in the governor’s budget, allowing the State of Maryland to continue its partnership with Baltimore City and nonprofit organizations to create more opportunities for work, wages, and wealth in Baltimore.
“Today’s announcement targeting vacancy in Baltimore City comes at a crucial moment,” said Senate President Bill Ferguson. “These past few years have truly been like no other, and the state must lead and work with the city to continue reducing vacancies. And, just this year, we directed a record $50 million to assist Baltimore City in reducing vacancy. I am grateful to my elected partners and community partners like BUILD and the Greater Baltimore Committee for helping build a Baltimore with more green space, rehabilitated buildings, and home ownership.”
“Baltimore has made important progress reducing the number of vacant homes and lots but too many remain,” said Delegate Stephanie Smith. “Today, we’ve launched an important coordinating partnership between the City and State that was unimaginable years ago. Only together can we have the impact City residents truly deserve.”
For more information on Reinvest Baltimore and the Baltimore Vacants Reinvestment Council, visit DHCD.Maryland.gov/reinvest-Baltimore.