The Blighted Property Review Committee is a recreation of the Vacant Property Committee, which was once used by the City to rehabilitate vacant and blighted properties in Reading.  The Vacant Property Committee was composed of City Staff.  The Blighted Property Review Committee is composed by representatives from City Council, the Planning Commission, and the Redevelopment Authority along with two at large citizens and a member representing the Mayor.

The Blighted Property Review Committee began by completing a project to identify and rate the  blighted properties across Reading.  Approximately 1400 properties were identified.  Annually the Committee reviews the Blighted Property Map to identify individual blighted properties along with a target neighborhood and target area.  Property owners are then contacted to arrange an inspection and are then given an opportunity to renovate or turn the property over for demolition.  At time when property owners fail to respond to the notices, their properties enter into the eminent domain process through the Reading Redevelopment Authority, which takes 12-18 months.

The Blighted Property Review Committee has partnered with Our City Reading, Neighborhood Housing Services, Habitat for Humanity and the County ADD program (through the County Community Development Office) to assist with rehabilitation projects and demolition for neighborhood reuse.

Blighted Property Review Committee Slide Show (PowerPoint Presentation)

Housing Alliance Of Pennsylvania (PowerPoint Presentation)