Deadline Approaching to Participate in Vacant Property Recovery Program

Allegheny County is accepting applications in four local communities from anyone interested acquire vacant properties at reduced cost.

Swissvale, Braddock Hills, Turtle Creek and Wilkins have entered into a joint cooperation agreement with the Redevelopment Authority of Allegheny County, Vacant Property Recovery Program 2013 Side Yard and Community Beautification Program.

The purpose of the Allegheny County Vacant Property Recovery Program is to take blighted, tax delinquent properties and resell them to an applicant to reuse as determined by their application and as approved by the municipality. 

The county will waive the standard parcel fee of $3,000 required of applicants who want to add side yards to their primary residence, and will discount the fee to $1,400 for applicants proposing to beautify properties that do not abut their primary residence.

Applicants also will be responsible for the appraised value of the property, a 10 percent good-faith deposit and closing costs of about  $300.

Up to fifty applications will be accepted in the order in which they are received. No more than five applications will be accepted per municipality. Applications must be submitted no later than July 15, 2013. Additional applications may be accepted based upon funding availability.

For additional information or to request an application, contact Maureen Quinn, Program Manager, at 412-350-1079.