Glossary

abandoned property

An abandoned property is one where the owner of the property has effectively walked away from his/her obligations. Failure to carry out responsibilities by owners can include failure to pay taxes or meet other financial obligations or foregoing routine maintenance and allowing the property to become a nuisance. An abandoned property may be occupied.

adaptive reuse

Rehab and utilization of an existing structure or landscape for a use other than it originally accommodated. Buildings adaptively reused may often have historic or cultural significance. See: Scottish Rite Hospital, Curley School, SouthSide Works, Acushnet Commons

affordable housing

Housing affordability is variable by income, location, and other factors. The federal government considers housing to be affordable if housing costs are no more than 30 percent of its income. Recently, affordable housing advocates have looked at combined housing and transportation costs to understand the financial tradeoffs for housing families can afford.

americans with disabilities act (ada)

Law prohibiting discrimination to persons with disabilities, by requiring, among other things, that places generally open to the public, such as restaurants and hotels, be made accessible. Special rules apply to historic buildings and facilities. (preservationnation.org)

architectural review?

The review process that guides the regulations and procedures requiring the exterior design or structures to be harmonious and in keeping with the historic character, or general style, of surrounding areas.

area median income

The area median income (AMI) is a statistic generated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for purposes of determining the eligibility of applicants for certain federal housing programs. AMI is determined on an annual basis, making adjustments for household size and other factors. Different housing programs use different percentages of AMI as maximum income limits for admission. (adapted from housingpolicy.org)

glossary

Reclaiming Communities through Vacant Property Revitalization