Exploring the Relationship Between Vacant and Distressed Properties and Community Health and Safety
Report by Center on Urban Poverty and Community Development
June 5, 2017
Center on Poverty and Community Development (Cleveland)
We examined the relationship between vacant properties, distressed properties, and these health and safety issues, crime and lead exposure, concerning the surrounding community. We find that property vacancy and poor property condition co-occur with exposure to lead and certain types of crime; violent crime, homicide, aggravated assault, and weapons violations.
This study aims to offer useful insight to policy makers so that strategies to remediate vacant and blighted properties can be considered alongside a community health lens.
You can explore this research through three companion pieces; an interactive map that allows the user to navigate through the data layers used in the analysis, the story map aimed at providing a succinct, visual version of the research to policy makers, and a full, printable report.