“It would require the “squatter” to make significant improvements to the property and assume and pay off any and all back taxes and liens. Not by just simple “occupying” property legally owned by others.”
No, simply purchase the property.
I think you and others may have missed my point.
I’m only considering truly abandoned properties.
There is no owner from which it can be purchased other than the State.
In many place, parts of Chicago for example, there are no interested buyers either.