Just An Idea

Detroit is offering cash incentives to workers who agree to buy or rent a home there.
Hey, I heard how they got some real issues in that town with all the vacant buildings, crime, a shrinking population...

I seen an aerial photo of a 'typical' Detroit neighborhood, and it looked to me like fully 1/3 or more of the city was vacant: abandoned homes and empty lots. My suggestion is to allow the neighbor of any vacant lot to assume control and ownership of said lot with the understanding that the property be kept up (no trash piles, over grown weeds, junk cars) while also not acquiring any increase in property tax liability.

Now, with all these homes that possess larger yards, the vacancy issue goes away while the values of the homes increase (somewhat). Keep the crime rate in check and you'll eventually find people who want to live in these restructured neighborhoods.