COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS

Revitalizing Neighborhoods and Restoring Value to Monroe County Properties

Vacant & Blighted Properties

The Redevelopment Authority of the County of Monroe works closely with local municipalities to address blighted, vacant, and abandoned properties that pose safety hazards, discourage investment, and negatively impact neighborhood quality of life.



Local officials may submit problem properties using our Municipal Blight Referral Form, which helps initiate the process for assessment and potential remediation.

What Qualifies as a ‘Blighted Property’?

A property may be considered blighted if it meets one or more of the following conditions:

  • Declared a public nuisance under local building, housing, plumbing, or fire codes
  • Considered an attractive nuisance to children due to unsafe structures (e.g., open wells, basements, or unstable fences)
  • Determined to be unfit for human habitation due to being unsanitary, unsafe, or vermin-infested
  • Poses a fire hazard or danger to public safety
  • Has disconnected or destroyed essential systems (e.g., plumbing, electrical, heating), rendering it uninhabitable
  • Is a vacant or unimproved lot in a developed area that attracts trash, rodents, or other pests due to neglect
  • Remains vacant and unrepaired one year after receiving an official rehabilitation notice
  • Classified as abandoned property by local or county authorities

To address serious property deterioration and protect public safety, Monroe County established a Demolition Fund under the authority of Act 152 of 2016.



This fund is supported by a $15 recording fee on all deeds and mortgages filed with the Monroe County Recorder of Deeds. In 2017, the Monroe County Board of Commissioners passed Resolution No. 13, officially creating this fund to support the demolition of blighted structures across the county.

Monroe County Land Bank Program

A Land Bank is a public tool used to return vacant, abandoned, and tax-delinquent properties to productive use. The goal is not just redevelopment—but strategic, community-aligned revitalization.


The Monroe County Land Bank acquires distressed properties and responsibly manages them until they can be transferred to new owners or developers who meet community needs.


Key Powers and Benefits of the Land Bank

  • Acquire tax-foreclosed and abandoned properties efficiently
  • Sell properties to buyers based on community goals, not just highest bids
  • Clear title and extinguish liens to make properties viable for reuse
  • Hold property tax-exempt until ready for redevelopment
  • Generate revenue through tax recapture programs and reinvest in future revitalization


By leveraging these tools, the Land Bank helps stabilize neighborhoods, reduce public safety hazards, and create new housing or business opportunities in Monroe County.