Thanks!

A more comprehensive database might help, but only if DCRA and OTR were motivated to actually do something about the properties. As it is, even getting on the vacant properties list doesn’t necessarily mean anything, because OTR may not pick it up and apply the Class 3 tax rate. I can point out (and did to Mary Cheh) at least 5 properties within a block of my house that are on the vacant property list but still taxed at the Class 1 rate. One even has a homestead exemption on it! Even if Class 3 is applied, it may not provide any incentive to improve or sell because the taxable assessment is only a ridiculous fraction of the market value of the land alone. As far as I know, there is nothing that can compel an owner to sell a vacant property as long as he/she pays the tax on it. In some cases, even if the tax payments are grossly delinquent, the property somehow doesn’t get on the tax sale list.

I’ve posted some suggested changes that I think might make a difference on my Fifth and Oh blog, but it really all depends on getting some real pressure from the Mayor and Council on DCRA and OTR to do their job.

The ultimate goal should be to provide some sort of accountability. City officials (DCRA and OTR) are to blame for the lack of enforcement of the Vacant Property Maintenance Standard, the under-assessment of vacant properties, and improper tax exemptions and deductions. The recent legislation has removed some of the loopholes but the laws (flawed as they were) were not being enforced previously.

Owners have blatantly abused tax deductions; many claiming senior citizen homestead deductions on vacant buildings. The Office of the Inspector General has investigated and recommended administrative changes but no single individual is held accountable for not doing their job.

I have several letters from the former lead inspector for ward 2, Charles Mason, claiming that there were no housing code violations at several vacant properties. The properties were clearly non-compliant and were soon thereafter condemned (after many emails and calls) by the Board of Condemnation.

DC does not even know how many vacant properties exist. It seems to me that if OTR is capable of raising assessments on thousands of law abiding owners drastically, they should be capable of properly taxing vacant buildings.

What would be effective is a good database, a clear funding stream, and the expertise to acquire, catalog and dispose of the properties through more than one programmatic initiative aimed at different income levels.For example, using the Homestead model for moderate income single family homeownership and multifamily affordable housing development; and the Home Again model for moderate income single fam, if they’re not interested in being DIYers. This would greatly assist the housing pipeline as more affordable units come online through MIZ and publicly held parcels, creating a much more realistic and viable housing pipeline in the city. And then . . . we could get DCRA to work fluidly, we’d be cooking with gas.

Why not make a direct request of Councilwoman Cheh who held vacant property hearing and cc the Office of Planning as well the Director of the Office of Property Management with a specific suggestion ?

Or have you done something to this effect already?