News
CHAI Completes Redevelopment of First BVRI Home
There is a housing crisis across Maryland, with Baltimore City facing distinct challenges. Renters are increasingly cost-burdened, homeownership rates are stagnant, and there is a surplus of vacant and abandoned housing. As of October 2025, Baltimore’s Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) reported approximately 12,383 vacant buildings in the city alone, reflecting long-term disinvestment and underutilized housing stock. To address this, the State of Maryland launched the Baltimore Vacants Reinvestment Initiative (BVRI), which selected 16 community-based organizations —including CHAI—to redevelop vacant properties in designated neighborhoods. CHAI is leveraging this targeted investment in partnership with Rebirth Development to revitalize blocks in parts of Central Park Heights. Together, CHAI and Rebirth Development have completely restored and sold their first BVRI home with a second one nearly complete—and a lineup of more properties ready to be renovated. CHAI is grateful for the opportunity to participate in an innovative program that is transforming vacant properties into homeownership opportunities, driving reinvestment in the citizens and neighborhoods of Baltimore.
