Efforts to eliminate blighted properties in the City of Baltimore and return them to productive use continue to progress.

In July, City officials and Hearts Place Services celebrated the advancement of the Hope Village Project with a groundbreaking ceremony. The City conveyed 27 vacant lots for the affordable housing development project in the 1300 block of Holbrook Street. DHCD prepared each lot for $1,000. 

Heart’s Place Services — in partnership with developer Mark Sapperstein — is using the land to create Hope Village, a small development of container homes that supports homeownership for displaced, low-income families. Hope Village, located in Oliver, will feature 13 single-family homes that are constructed out of converted shipping containers.

Hope Village is expected to be completed by Fall 2024.