Authors: Miller, Joanell, and Rubinowitz, Leonard S
Summary
Urban homesteading is a method of dealing with the problem of abandoned housing, which besets communities in Missouri and throughout the country. Urban homesteading programs, such as those in Kansas City and St. Louis, involve local government or quasi-governmental corporations in the purchase and sale of abandoned residential property. Since the early 1970’s, local governments have acquired homes through a variety of mechanisms for the purpose of selling them to homesteaders who agree to live in them and rehabilitate them. This paper reviews the purpose of the urban homesteading programs and the administrative structures for implementing the programs. It also discusses the process of selecting and acquiring the homes involved and identifying the homesteaders eligible to purchase these properties. Finally, the paper describes the methods available for financing the rehabilitation required under the program.
Download
