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Housing
The principle housing and neighborhood revitalization
goals of the City of Hagerstown are to instill pride of residency and commitment
to community through the enhancement and expansion of housing opportunities
and to maintain the integrity of existing neighborhoods thereby creating
a strong identity among residents and a greater stake in the overall well-being
of the community. In order to achieve those goals, the Plan identifies the
following policies.
- Increase home-ownership.
At present, only 41% of the households in Hagerstown are living in owner-occupied
housing. A major priority of the City is to facilitate home-ownership
opportunities and to reduce the number of households in the City living
in rental housing. Hagerstown's Community Development Department has
in place a first-time home-buying assistance program as one means of
helping to achieve this goal. The City will continue to investigate
other home-ownership opportunities.
- Improve the condition of the housing stock
With 41% of Hagerstown's housing units constructed prior to 1940 and
only 12% constructed after 1980, a certain level of deterioration in
the City's housing stock is to be expected. In an effort to facilitate
the improvement of Hagerstown's housing units, the City offers an Owner-occupied
Housing Rehabilitation Program and a Moderate Rental Rehabilitation
Program through the Hagerstown Community Development Department. Other
state and local revitalization programs will be promoted which provide
incentives for rehabilitation of buildings which are historic or located
in targeted areas.
- Maintain affordable housing for low and moderate
income residents.
- Protect and expand the variety of housing
types.
- Reclaim vacant housing units
The City will conduct periodic surveys to identify vacant and derelict
housing for study and possible acquisition for Hagerstown's Home-ownership
Program.
- Provide housing for residents with special
needs.
- Encourage neighborhood schools and other services.
Another major priority of the City is the maintenance and creation of
neighborhood schools, recreation facilities, and other services in Hagerstown,
as an amenity to encourage home-ownership.
- Create a program for ongoing neighborhood revitalization.
- Encourage community participation in all issues
affecting neighborhood revitalization.
Neighborhood organizations will be encouraged to express their needs
to the City and to cooperate in community-based improvement activities.
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