Nuisance Properties a Potential Area for Economic Development in Puerto Rico

Renovated property in San Juan, Puerto Rico 

ISABEL SOPHIA DIEPPA / PULITZER CENTER

Hurricanes Irma and Maria have accelerated the trend of increased migration out of Puerto Rico, leading to many abandoned properties and properties labeled as “nuisances”. A “nuisance” property is defined as a building that is either uninhabitable or labeled a safety risk. Addressing this issue could lead to significant improvement in the economic development of distressed zones of Puerto Rico if this space was to be filled instead with profitable investments. Even prior to the hurricanes, Puerto Rico suffered from a 22% vacancy rate, which includes critical establishments such as closed schools. If properties in ruin and nuisance properties were to be included in this calculation as well, this would likely raise the percentage of structures affected across the island to over 30%.  

The cities of Puerto Rico are anxious to address this issue. In a survey conducted by the Habitat Reconstruction Center, 84.2% of municipalities stated they have passed legislation in the past four years attempting to diminish the number of nuisance properties. In 2018, an act was passed to allow cities the option to lease or own properties that have been legally classified as public nuisances. The Puerto Rico Department of Economic Development and Commerce hopes to combat this issue with the aid of the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Relief Program. Although many cities in Puerto Rico are currently receiving funds, currently only 35% of municipalities site nuisances as part of their uses for this capital. Projects addressing nuisances and abandoned lots can be seen as a more organic way to stimulate community welfare, rather than starting completely new constructions that oftentimes lead to gentrification or displacement. However, the main roadblock to eradicating the issue of nuisance properties is the lack of records, which draws out the length of time it takes to formally declare a property as a nuisance, and start it on its track to being repurposed.