Vacant Homes

Vacant Homes Facts at a Glance

  • Vacant homes can pose a real challenge to neighborhoods if residents of nearby homes do not remain vigilant.

  • People interested in hiding their activities are drawn to vacant homes. 

  • Vacant homes can deteriorate quickly and become magnets for crime.

  • When a vacant home's yard deteriorates, such as if grass grows tall and litter accumulates on the property, the vacant home drags down value and quality of life in the rest of the neighborhood.

  • Citizen action is the key to keeping vacant homes from dragging down the value and quality of life in a nieghborhood.

  
 
What is at Stake?
 

The rate of foreclosed properties in Prince William County has slowed somewhat. However, a slow housing market and a high rate of unemployment continue to create problems for community maintenance due to vacant homes. Vacant homes are potential eyesores and hazards but problems can be prevented when neighbors watch and report.

Prevention of deterioration on these properties can be achieved when property owners serve as the eyes and ears for the community. See more information on helpful citizen action.

The main concern about vacant homes is this: no one is taking care of the home.

 So...

  • People interested in hiding their activities are drawn to vacant homes.  Whether it is kids who are misbehaving, homeless people and families looking for a roof over their heads or outright criminals, these "hidden" occupants lead to disastrous consequences.  

  • Windows or doors may become broken open and vandals can loot the home of materials. 

  • The grass grows tall and litter accumulates.

  • Health and safety issues in the home are ignored and both the occupants, neighbors and potential first responders are put at risk.

 

Tall grass vacant home.jpg

First Steps to Protecting the Vacant Home

If an owner will not repair the home or cannot be found because the home is in foreclosure,  broken windows and doors must be secured by the County. The most effective and efficient method is to board the doors and windows with plywood. 
 
But unfortunately, if neighbors are not vigilant, the boards are often vandalized with graffiti.  Criminals can also easily break through the plywood and steal things like copper pipe and appliances.  So, Neighborhood Services asks for neighbors to be as watchful on any vacant home as they would if a freindly neighbor lived there!
 
Please call 703-792-7018 or email nsd@pwcgov.org to report graffiti or suspicious behavior at the site of a vacant home. 

What You Can Do

You can have a critical role to play in protecting your neighborhood. See more information on citizen actions that can be effective in preventing deterioration of vacant homes here.
 
Simply put, prevention of deterioration on these properties can be achieved when property owners serve as the eyes and ears for the community.  Please call the county at 703-792-7018  (or use the reporting form) to report issues with vacant homes that you feel may cause a health, safety or welfare issue in your neighborhood.