Posts by Community Progress
What is the Neighborhood Revitalization and Land Banking Act?
The bipartisan bill is an important step in giving rural, urban, and suburban communities the tools to address “blighted” properties. The key focus of the bill is providing support to land banks, a tool many communities are adopting to support economic and neighborhood revitalization.
Read MoreThe Problem with Calling Neighborhoods with Vacant Properties “Blighted”
Blight is a shorthand term many people use to refer to properties they perceive as problematic in some way.
Read MoreHow Vacant and Abandoned Buildings Affect Communities
Vacant, abandoned, and deteriorated (VAD) properties—referred to by some as “blighted properties”—pose significant costs to public health, property values, local taxpayers, and more.
Read MoreWhat Can Neighbors Do about Vacant Buildings and Lots?
When neighbors come together, they can be a powerful voice for community revitalization.
Read MoreWhat is Code Enforcement?
Code enforcement from A to Z: when it works, when it doesn’t, and how local governments can make code enforcement systems more fair for all.
Read MoreWhat’s the Deal with Rural Land Banks? A Q&A with West Virginia Land Stewardship Corporation Executive Director Taylor Bennett
Land banks can help rural communities deal with vacant, abandoned, and dilapidated properties.
Read MoreHow to Prevent and Reduce Illegal Dumping
Cities spend millions each year cleaning up illegal dumping. What if they tried to make vacant lots less appealing to dumping in the first place?
Read MoreTips for a Successful Session Proposal for the 2024 Reclaiming Vacant Properties Conference
How to write a session proposal for the Reclaiming Vacant Properties Conference that will get noticed.
Read MoreNew Study Shows Land Bank Ownership of Vacant Lots Can Reduce Violent Crime
A vacant lot owned and cared for by a land bank sees a greater decrease in crime compared to privately owned lots, finds 2023 study in Flint, MI.
Read MoreState of Land Banking: 2023 Survey Highlights
Key takeaways, data, and charts from the 2023 State of Land Banking survey.
Read More