Gary, Indiana was a booming steel town when its population peaked at almost 200,000 people in the 1960s.  Since then, the declining steel industry has caused the population to fall to under 80,000.  The migration of 60% of its residents has resulted in a large number of abandoned houses and business.  Since abandoned buildings ruin communities’ sense of togetherness and increase crime rates, the mayor of Gary, Karen Freeman-Wilson, has adopted a “Dollar Home” program that would allow people to buy abandoned houses for just $1.  She hopes that people will be attracted to the low price and repair the buildings, eventually restoring Gary to its original state.

Although the process will take time, the Dollar Home will be an effective way to increase Gary’s population.  Young people in particular will be able to own a home and low-income families from other cities will be encouraged to move to Gary.  The next step that the city should take is introducing a similar program for the abandoned businesses in the city.  Selling abandoned businesses for very little money would encourage residents of Gary to start businesses and encourage investment in the city.

Image: http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2012/07/15/article-2173761-1410F623000005DC-840_964x643.jpg

Sources:

•  http://www.nbcnews.com/feature/in-plain-sight/battered-city-gary-ind-considers-shrinking-40-percent-save-itself-v18956862
• http://www.teamgaryindiana.com/?p=1232
• http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2173761/Tragic-portrait-city-decline-The-desolate-ruins-Gary-Indiana-reveal-decaying-heart-Americas-proud-industrial-centre.html
• http://grist.org/cities/can-you-green-a-ghost-town-lauren-riga-of-gary-ind-is-going-to-try/