these cities you list all have big numbers of abandoned properties, and for various “sociological” reasons, shall we say, are not desirable places to live.
I know some cities have done “urban homesteading”, in which you can buy a property for a nominal fee, such as $1, but you have to agree to rehab the property and actually live in it to get that bargain. I don’t know how successful these programs have been.
Sure, honey, I know the street is filled with prostitutes and drug dealers and gang bangers that hate us for no reason,
but it was such a BARGAIN!