Olszewski's Bipartisan Vacant Housing Bill to Become Law

(Washington, DC) – Bipartisan legislation led by first-term Maryland Congressman Johnny Olszewski to help convert vacant and blighted properties into attainable housing will become his first to be enacted into law.

The Revitalizing Empty Structures Into Desirable Environments (RESIDE) Act was included in the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, legislation broadly supported by lawmakers from both parties to increase the nation's housing supply, revitalize vacant properties, and help lower housing costs for working families. President Donald Trump is expected to allow the legislation to become law without his signature today.

“I'm proud that my first bill to become public law will lower costs and create opportunity for families,” said Congressman Olszewski. “Rather than allow abandoned buildings to sit empty, we can turn them into homes families can actually afford. This bipartisan achievement demonstrates that, when Congress focuses on solving real problems, we can also deliver real results.”

Vacant properties in cities like Baltimore — which currently has about 11,000 vacant homes — trigger a cascading cycle of decline. They depress neighborhood property values, cost millions in lost tax revenue and maintenance, and serve as magnets for crime, squatters, and arson.

The RESIDE Act authorizes a competitive pilot program within the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to help communities transform vacant and blighted structures into affordable homes. The legislation was co-led by Representatives Sam Liccardo (CA-16), Maria Salazar (FL-27), and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01).

The legislation builds on Congressman Olszewski’s work as Baltimore County Executive, when his Administration championed the county’s first-ever vacant structures law and established a fine for vacant and abandoned properties. Under his leadership, the county inventoried abandoned properties for the first time and made them eligible for dedicated funding to build new attainable housing.