​The Baltimore Vacants Reinvestment Council (BVRC) will drive a unified approach to advancing community-based priorities and implementing recommended strategies to maximize investments, reduce vacancy and promote neighborhood renewal in Baltimore City. The Council will be chaired by Secretary Day and vice-chaired by Baltimore City Department of Housing and Community Development Commissioner Alice Kennedy.

Council Members

• Jake Day, Secretary, Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (Council Chair)
• Alice Kennedy, Commissioner, Baltimore City Department of Housing and Community Development (Council Vice Chair)
• Portia Wu, Secretary, Maryland Department of Labor
• Rebecca Flora, Secretary, Maryland Department of Planning
• Gary McGuigan, Executive Vice President, Maryland Stadium Authority
• Tom Sadowski, Executive Director, Maryland Economic Development Corporation
• Jasmin Torres, Assistant Attorney General, Maryland Office of the Attorney General
• Cory McCray, Maryland State Senator, Maryland General Assembly
• Stephanie Smith, Maryland State Delegate, Maryland General Assembly
• Faith Leach, Chief Administrative Officer, City of Baltimore
• Michael Mockston, Director, Department of Finance, City of Baltimore
• John Bullock, Councilman, Baltimore City Council
• Leslie McMillan, Co-Chair, BUILD
• Mark Anthony Thomas, President & CEO, Greater Baltimore Committee
• Matt Gallagher, President & CEO, Goldseker Foundation
• Beth Blauer, Associate Vice Provost for Public Sector Innovation & Associate Professor of Practice, Carey Business School

Plans and Reports

The following links include plans and reports related to Baltimore City’s vacancy crisis and city and state community development and housing objectives.

• Moore-Miller Administration 2024 State Plan
• A Framework for Community Development, Baltimore City DHCD
• The Costs of Baltimore’s Vacant Housing, Johns Hopkins 21st Century Cities Initiative
• Whole Blocks Whole City Report, CZB
• An Analysis of Baltimore City’s Residential Market Potential

Reinvest Baltimore Annual Reports

The first report will be posted in January 2025.

Upcoming Meetings

• December 12, 2024 at 11:00 AM
• January 7, 2025 at 11:00 AM
• February 4, 2025 at 11:00 AM
• March 4, 2025 at 11:00 AM
• April 1, 2025 at 11:00 AM
• May 6, 2025 at 11:00 AM
• June 3, 2025 at 11:00 AM

Past Meetings​

• November 7, 2024​ Baltimore Vacants Reinvestment Council Meeting - Recording​
• Meeting Agenda​
• Meeting Presentation slides

More Information

CONTACT: ​Kari Snyder
Director, Community and Economic Development Partnerships
410-209-5813 (office)
443-571-8879 (cell)
kari.snyder@maryland.gov​