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City Expands $1 Vacant Lot Purchase Program

CHICAGO (CBS) -- The first two attempts were a success, so the city has expanded its Large Lot Program to include the Austin neighborhood.

The program offers vacant lots to homeowners and community groups for $1 per lot. Applicants can use the lots to expand existing yards, or even build a new home or addition.

The city hopes to create, preserve, and spruce up approximately 41,000 of the city's housing units over the next five years.

The Large Lot Program in Austin is part of that $1 billion effort.

Austin became the third neighborhood to be featured in the Large Lot Program. Approximately 250 vacant lots are available for sale to local residents for $1 each.

Hundreds of empty lots already have been sold in the Englewood and East Garfield Park neighborhoods through the same program.

Applicants must own property on the same block, be current property owners, and agree to own the lot for at least five years.

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