QR codes on vacant homes

Baltimore City has 15,600 vacant properties. And unlike the other big cities of the East Coast, the city lost population through the last decade.

With these properties continuing to be visible, the city recently began requiring signage that features a QR code. It's similar to a 2013 initiative by Wall Hunters to use murals with QR codes to highlight blighted properties.

In this new version that was created by a City Council bill last fall, scanned QR codes direct users to DHCD’s Vacant Property Resources and Information Page. Along with development plans, active notices, and permits searches, the public can access the city's portal for information about a vacant building that includes the owner or responsible agent’s name, address, phone number and email contact if available.

We want to hear how you think it'll work. Would you use these QR codes to look up info on vacant houses? Do you believe it's accessibility to ownership info that prevents the sale of these vacant homes? Email us at baltimore@technical.ly or reply here.

—Technical.ly Baltimore reporter Donte Kirby (donte@technical.ly)