BUFFALO, N.Y. — Buffalo has more than 6,000 vacant lots and most of them sit on the East side. Now, the city says its time they become assets.

City leaders say these empty spaces shouldn't stay this way, and on Wednesday they took a major step toward turning land like this into things like homes, gardens, and community spaces.

The Buffalo Common Council approved a new Homestead Plan. This would allow many vacant, city-owned lots to be sold for as little as $1,000.

City leaders say these empty spaces attract dumping grounds, cost taxpayers money, and drag down surrounding home values. Under this new plan, residents, nonprofits, and even developers can apply to build things like new homes, expand side yards, renovate abandoned structures or create community gardens.

"If there are 7,200 v

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