21st Century Homesteading, would it work?

[walnutred]

Throughout the centuries this country has had various forms of homesteading programs. For example, the part of the county I live in was largely settled by the Federal Government giving land grants to Revolutionary War Veterans. Parts of the southwest was expanded by giving 1/4 section land grants to WW1 Vets.

I saw on the news today that Detroit was using Pork-U-Lust money to tear down whole neighborhoods that have been abandoned. I know that the VA gives guaranteed home loans to Vets, I have one of those certificates myself somewhere. What if rather than tear down those houses they were GIVEN to returning Vets? The VA could still give low interest rehab loans. Sort of a 21st Century homesteading, give an ababdoned house and 4 or 5 adjoining lots for spacious yards.

I realize you need jobs as well, but many of these kids joined the military to pay for college. Plant a couple satellite colleges in the area to encourage this and you have the nucleus of a community. Think of all the satellite business that this 21st Century Pioneer Settlement will need and it could actually grow. Then you have the nucleus of a motivated, educated workforce which should attract some additional business.

Granted, there could be some resentment from displaced natives, but as long as the local politicians don't interfere I think the homesteaders could straighten things out pretty handily. They always have in the past.

 

[DeathGrip]

A good idea maybe.One thing tho,the VA doesn't guarantee that you'll get a loan.

D.G.

 

[Joe Kent]

walnutred, that is a great thought, put the normal desire to succeed back on the "private" side in trying to restart "dead" neighborhoods. One of the most constructive ideas yet.

 

[GatorFarmer]

Wouldn't work. You can buy houses in Detroit now for small sums of money, however the way that the tax base is set up, you end up owing back taxes on a property or paying so much in taxes that you're essentially renting from the city.

Old homesteads worked because they could be to a certain degree self sufficient. People still live that way of life, my wife and I plan to give it a try when she gets out of the Navy.

Anyway, during my slumlording days we looked into becoming "Detroit Slumlords", a rare and exotic species of such by buying up homes and renting them. Too many hassles, too many costs, even with some homes being virtually free. In fact, under adverse possession law, there are lots of homes in Detroit that would literally be free. Just bust off the door and go live in there.

We also considered buying properties to "mine" for the wire, any antique furniture, etc. Again, wasn't worth it.

There are already a number of colleges in the Detroit area. If you were stubborn, you could even drive to U of M or MSU.

 

[feralmerril]

A house is not going to do you any good if there is no job in the country. When they had those programs the country wasnt populated and needed building up. Today the only land that isnt already privatly owned is BLM, desert, sagebrush, no water or nearby population. Lots of that where I live!
I have stumbled across a nice cabin in a beautifull area of the mountains where the occupant told me he got it by stakeing a mineing claim and just lived there. Under normal circumstances it probley would have cost plenty for land there even if it was for sale. I doubted any mineral worth really trying to mine was worth the effert but probley a trace to BS and file on and do just enough work to appear legal to qualify to stay on the claim.
I was told by my mother that my great great grandfather was given several farms for fighting in the civil war. She said she had the old deeds signed by president Grant, but I never found them.
Maybe you can still homestead in alaska?