Nearly every block in Portland has a vacant lot or abandoned house. Neighbors are left to decide how to deal with it. Call the owners if you can find them? Call the City? Cut the grass?
For answers, Portland residents are meeting with Tia Bowman of the Louisville Metro Office of Housing and Community Development (OHCD). Ms. Bowman’s presentations are designed to equip residents with information and establish priorities to address the issue.
WHAT WE KNOW
VAP Facts
- There are 1,236 VAPs in Louisville Metro as confirmed by the Department of Codes and Regulations (2025).
- Abandoned structures are defined as being vacant for 1 year; in need of visible exterior repair and upkeep; attracting unwanted activity (rodents, illegal entry, etc); and having unpaid tax bills.
- Metro Government has programs available that regular citizens as well as developers can utilize to transform properties to productive use. Learn more about these on September 12 at the Portland Library.
Citizens can take action to help the City do its part
- Call 311 to report the address of concern. Note whether your concern is about safety, trash around the structure, visible disrepair, an overgrown yard, or unwanted activity such as rodents or illegal entry.
- Do not hesitate to call multiple times to alert OHCD to the ongoing issue.
- Report the address of concern and share the 311 case number with your Metro Council member at 502-574-1105. Councilwoman Donna Purvis wants to support your concern and encourage OHCD to take action.
How have other cities addressed VAPs?
Portland has its own bragging rights in converting vacant lots to community gardens and renovating housing for families to enjoy. Building on this success is within reach if residents and government pull together. Other cities have –
- Coordinated special events to invite developers to the neighborhood to encourage them to build new housing on empty lots owned by the Landbank.
- Arranged match-maker events between homeowners who want to sell and rehab companies that want to buy houses to update and sell to a new homeowner.
- Made creative use of empty lots by converting them to public space, such as planting fruit trees, hosting movie nights and food truck events, and building a memorial garden and serenity space.
JOIN NEIGHBORS NOW TO TAKE A STAND AND MAKE A PLAN
While there is no silver bullet to transform abandoned properties overnight, some of the most powerful community revitalization happens when neighbors come together to demand change.
Join a group of concerned citizens on September 12 to meet with City staff, identify options, set priorities for Portland, and make a plan for progress.
Everyone deserves to live in a neighborhood that is safe, healthy and thriving. Tackling VAP’s in Portland will go a long way in our neighborhood’s revitalization. Join us!
Saturday, September 12
10:00 AM – 11:30AM
Portland Library
3305 Northwestern Pkwy, 40212
This meeting series is coordinated by Portland NOW! and Habitat for Humanity of Metro Louisville with support from the Office of Housing and Community Development.
