December 14, 2023

Baltimore leaders and a coalition of faith and business groups, supported by Mayor Brandon Scott, revealed an $8 billion plan to revitalize vacant homes. The initiative aims to rehabilitate, demolish, and beautify 35,700 properties that are currently “at risk,” or empty lots. Though the plan faces financial challenges, advocates argue the investment will bring transformative change to Baltimore and more than pay for itself over time.

The Biden administration has proposed a plan to assist households in achieving homeownership through the Neighborhood Homes Investment Act. The act would introduce a new federal tax credit to help fund the development and renovation of 500,000 one-to-four family housing in distressed urban, suburban, and rural neighborhoods and aim to support and could generate $125 billion in development revenue over a decade.

Aetna Better Health of Georgia has invested $510,000 in 17 local organizations addressing food insecurity and homelessness. The investment supports programs enhancing health literacy and providing access to fresh, nutritious foods. Aetna’s funding also targets homelessness initiatives, partnering with organizations like the Salvation Army and House Proud Atlanta to expand programs and launch mobile shower units for those in need across Georgia.

New Pennsylvania legislation aims to overturn a decades-old law that allows school districts to deny education to homeless children during residency disputes. Despite the McKinney-Vento Act mandating immediate enrollment for students facing housing insecurity during disputes, some districts across the US suspect residency fraud and launch investigations that bar kids for extended periods. The bill also targets the underidentification of students experiencing homelessness, requiring liaisons to inform parents of McKinney-Vento rights before disenrollment.