By Jaden Atkins
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
Baltimore saw the lowest number of homicides in half a century last year, Mayor Brandon Scott said Tuesday during his state of the city address.
In addition, Scott touted his administration’s progress in reducing the number of vacant houses in the city, which he said had dropped from about 16,000 to under 12,000.
He also announced programs to help residents pay their energy bills and assist renters with their security deposits.
In his sixth state of the city address, which was delivered from Baltimore Center Stage and streamed online, Scott said that “after year after year of 300-plus homicides, there were 133 in 2025, the lowest number in 50 years.”
Scott attributed the reduction to the citywide effort to reduce violent crime.
“Smart on crime solutions have reduced homicides and non-fatal shootings in Baltimore by 60% in the last five years,” Scott said. “No National Guard or zero tolerance needed.”
Attending alongside Scott was Gov. Wes Moore, who gave some preliminary remarks prior to the mayor taking the stage.
“We’ve gone back several decades,” Moore said. “A governor has never been invited to Baltimore’s state of the city address.”
Moore credited progress in the state in large part to improvements throughout Baltimore, citing rapid drops in crime statewide as evidence.
Among other hot button issues discussed was the issue of vacant properties.
Scott said the city government has cut down on housing vacancies by a quarter in the years since he became mayor. He said the city was taking a block-by-block approach in hopes of ending the vacant housing crisis over the next 13 years.
“We all understand that’s great progress,” Scott said, referring the reduction in vacants. “But we have to understand that vacants are still a pain for all of us. They pull down neighborhoods and can be frustrating in many ways.”
He said sweeping changes were enacted in Johnston Square, Park Heights and Folton Avenue neighborhoods that feature new housing developments and libraries.
The city also plans on utilizing clear boarding as an alternative to boarding up vacancies with plywood for increased security, the mayor said.
To help new and existing homeowners make ends meet, Scott announced the Energy Stability Fund, which will be used to help residents cover rising energy costs. The $650,000 initiative will provide qualifying households with up to $1,500 in supplemental assistance.
The mayor said the city government is also funding the Security Deposit Assistance Program to aid low-income residents who are unable to cover the security deposit on new rentals. The program especially focuses on residents transitioning out of homelessness, Scott said. Under the plan, eligible city residents can receive a one-time security deposit grant of up to $2,000.
Baltimore city government has created a pilot program designed to wipe out property tax debt for legacy residents over 65, Scott said.
Baltimoreans who have reached this age, have owned their home for more than 10 years, make less than $73,000 a year and enroll in the Tax Sale Deferral Program by April 15 could qualify to have their tax bills cleared next year, according to details on the mayor’s website. Homeowners would have to take financial literacy courses and enroll in payment plans for future bills to qualify, the mayor’s office said.
“As Baltimore continues to grow, we have to do everything we can to protect the folks who built our city,” Scott said.
One of the goals Scott set for the rest of his term was an effort to reduce deaths from opioid overdose.
“I often say that there is not a single Baltimorean who has not been affected by this crisis,” Scott said.
As part of his administration’s efforts to tackle the opioid crisis, the city has secured over $600 million in settlements and awards from pharmacies responsible for the opioid crisis, the mayor said.
Alongside these settlements, Scott announced investments in new resources such as mobile treatment services, Narcan and syringe service programs, among other things.
His stated goal is to cut deaths from opioid overdoses by 50% by 2040.
“It’s much more complicated than simply removing drugs from our communities,” Scott said. “We have to get at the root of so many issues that contribute to substance use.”
Youth investment was another focus for Scott throughout his address.
In addition to announcing the Baltimore City Joint Apprenticeship program and more funding for YouthWorks summer jobs, Scott revealed plans to develop a new sports facility in the city.
The complex will include an indoor track as well as basketball and volleyball courts. The mayor’s office said his 2027 fiscal year budget proposals will include an initial $20 million for the facility.
In the short term, Scott mentioned a “90-day sprint,” which features city agencies rapidly making positive changes to city infrastructure and wildlife starting from mid-April and continuing through the ensuing 90-days.
“Baltimore’s potential is the potential of each and every person that calls her home,” said Scott. “And the future of Charm City…is one that we’re building together.”