A Ten-Year Strategy to Reduce Vacancy in the City of St. Louis

Publication Date: 06/09/2026
Document Type: Plans and Reports
Sponsor: Community Development Administration

Summary
Vacancy remains one of the most significant challenges facing St. Louis neighborhoods, affecting housing stability, public safety, property values, and long-term economic growth. Commissioned by the Community Development Administration (CDA) and prepared by the STL Vacancy Collaborative, this report provides a comprehensive analysis of vacant and abandoned properties across the city and outlines strategies to address their impacts over the next decade.

The report is the culmination of the Vacancy Strategy Initiative (VSI), a multi-year effort involving City departments, neighborhood leaders, nonprofit organizations, researchers, developers, and residents. Drawing on extensive data analysis, stakeholder engagement, and community input, the report examines the causes, costs, and geographic distribution of vacancy while highlighting successful redevelopment efforts already underway in St. Louis neighborhoods.

In addition to documenting current conditions, the report presents a ten-year roadmap for coordinated action. Recommendations focus on improving interagency collaboration, modernizing data systems, expanding redevelopment tools, strengthening community engagement, and tailoring strategies to neighborhood conditions. Together, these recommendations provide a framework for reducing vacancy, supporting neighborhood revitalization, and promoting equitable growth across the City of St. Louis.