By D.M.Livingston|The Waterbury Times|Published Nov 28, 2025
Waterbury, CT- In January 2025, The Waterbury Times Investigates launched one of its most talked-about on-the-ground reports: a citywide look at abandoned, blighted, and tax-delinquent properties across Waterbury. The video episode took viewers directly to forgotten streets, empty homes, collapsing porches, unsecured structures, and lots overgrown with debris—places that have quietly become dangerous for neighborhoods already dealing with crime, illegal dumping, and declining property values.
Today, we revisit that investigation with new images, new updates, and a closer look at what has changed—and what hasn’t.
A Citywide Issue That Won’t Go Away
Across Waterbury—North End, Brooklyn, South End, Willow/Plaza, and Hill—residents repeatedly tell us the same thing:
abandoned buildings attract crime, lower community morale, and make families feel unsafe.
During our investigation, we found:
- Homes with broken windows, wide-open doors, and no security
- Structures with collapsing floors and roofs
- Blighted lots collecting trash, furniture, and construction debris
- Entire multi-family homes sitting empty for years while taxes pile up
Every site we visited told a bigger story: Waterbury’s abandoned building problem is both a safety risk and a symbol of years of neglect.
Calling Officials Directly — And Showing Up in Person
Unlike traditional reporting, we didn’t just film from the street. We made direct contact with city officials to get real answers for residents.
1. Building Inspection Department — On the Record
We contacted Waterbury’s Building Inspector’s Office to verify the status of several properties, including questions about condemnation notices, code violations, and open safety complaints.
We attempted to asked directly:
- Who is responsible?
- What enforcement actions are active?
- Why are some buildings left unsecured?
- How long can properties sit abandoned before the city intervenes?
However, our call to date of this publication has never been been returned
2. City Hall — Tax Office & Town Clerk
Our team then visited:
- The Tax Collector’s Office to investigate overdue balances and lien history
- The Town Clerk’s Office to review ownership records and pending auctions
- The Blight Office to understand response timelines and penalties
Residents often assume abandoned buildings are city-owned.
But in most cases, the city is stuck deciding between:
✔ foreclosure,
✔ tax sale,
✔ or litigation.
That delay leaves neighborhoods carrying the burden.
Waterbury Breaking News
New Updates: Two Properties Show Recent Changes
Since our January investigation, we revisited two sites that had major concerns.
🏚️ Property #1 — Owner has begun repairs
🏚️ Property #2 — Now under Waterbury Housing Authority Control
These updates show what community-driven reporting can do:
When residents speak out and someone shines a light, the city moves.
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Why This Matters for Waterbury
Abandoned buildings don’t just lower property values—they shape the quality of life in entire neighborhoods.
They become hubs for:
- trespassing
- drug use
- squatters
- arson risks
- illegal dumping
- rodent infestation
Neighborhoods feel forgotten.
Families stop letting their kids play outside.
Residents lose pride in the very blocks they grew up on.
This investigation is part of our ongoing commitment to highlighting real issues, not waiting for others to report them.
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What’s Next for TWT Investigates
This is just the beginning.
In 2026, The Waterbury Times Investigates will continue:
- Tracking every property we’ve documented
- Filing additional records requests
- Publishing updates as buildings are sold, demolished, renovated, or left to decay
- Using drone coverage to survey rooftops, lots, and structural hazards citywide
If you have a tip about an abandoned building in your neighborhood, email us or send a message through our website.
Your voice leads the investigation.
The only way to fix this issue is by keeping it visible.
The Waterbury Times- Waterbury,CT Local News 
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