Abandoned Housing Research: A Compendium: Fid-Bau Portal

Abandoned Housing Research: A Compendium

This report summarizes the findings of four major studies on the problem of central city housing abandonment. Taken together, these studies provide a good overview of the housing abandonment problem in 10 major cities, covering all sections of the country. Three of the cities are included in several of the studies and, thereby, provide a basis for comparing the validity of joint findings. This document has been prepared for a broad national audience of public policymakers and others involved in developing solutions to urban problems, particularly those of poverty and housing. The first study, covering St. Louis, Mo., Chicago, Ill., New Orleans, La., and Oakland, Calif., identifies the following factors as leading to deterioration and eventual abandonment of properties: mismanagement, speculation and overmortgaging, high maintenance and operating costs, overcrowding, and increases in the number of low - income tenants. None of these factors could be singled out as overwhelmingly important, but, in combination, they have a devastating effect. Public responses to the problem are suggested. The second study, conducted in Cleveland, Ohio, Chicago, Ill., St. Louis, Mo., Hoboken, N.J., New York City, Detroit, Mich., and Atlanta, Ga., also identifies causes of abandonment and presents a set of policy recommendations suggesting kinds and levels of policies required to eliminate the problem. A third study, covering Baltimore, Md., develops a four - step program designed to alleviate the problem. The fourth study describes the dynamics of the rent - controlled housing market in New York city. Appendices contain a bibliography on abandoned housing and related subjects, as well as case study materials on St. Louis, Chicago, New Orleans, and Oakland.