Posts by Community Progress
What Is a Tax Lien Sale and Why Is It a Bad Way of Dealing with Vacant Properties?
Tax lien sales are one way that cities and counties try to recoup some of the public dollars they’ve spent maintaining properties abandoned by private owners. But tax lien sales rarely fix the problem, nor lead to a vacant property being returned to productive use.Â
Read MoreMeet Kat Guillaume-Delemar, President & CEO of Community Progress
For Kat Guillaume-Delemar, community revitalization is a deeply personal journey.
Read MoreTransforming Cleveland Vacant Lots into an Urban Farm
How the Cuyahoga Land Bank and a community activist worked together to transform a block one property at a time.
Read MoreExplaining the Cycle of Systemic Vacancy
Systemic vacancy is the community experience of widespread property vacancy caused by the combined actions of people, policies, and processes.
Read MoreCelebrating 20 Years of Land Banks in Michigan
In 2023, Michigan land banks mark two important milestones: 20 years since the passage of Michigan’s Land Bank Fast Track Act and incorporation of the 50th land bank in the state.
Read MoreCreative Placemaking in Braddock, Pennsylvania
Community leaders in Braddock, North Braddock, and East Pittsburgh are creatively reactivating vacant, abandoned, and deteriorated properties.
Read MoreWhat Tyler v. Hennepin County Means for the Future of Property Tax Foreclosure Systems Across the Country
The SCOTUS decision opens up an opportunity for all states to redesign their property tax systems from beginning to end.
Read MoreWhat Is Creative Placemaking?
Creative placemaking is the practice of enhancing a neighborhood’s quality of life through arts, culture, and intentional community development. This practice can take many forms, like visual art installations, performance events, developing permanent brick-and-mortar spaces, and more. These creative approaches to addressing community challenges often include repurposing vacant properties. What are the essential elements of…
Read MoreUsing Vacant Properties for a Climate Resilient Future
Discover how vacant properties can be transformed into climate-resilient assets. Exploring strategies for urban heat, stormwater management, and more.
Read MoreBay City Allocates $3 Million to Home Repair and Strategic Code Enforcement
Cities across the United States are receiving an unprecedented infusion of resources from the American Rescue Plan Act State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (ARPA SLFRF). Thanks to direct advocacy from Community Progress and our partners, the U.S. Treasury explicitly said communities can use ARPA SLFRF funds to address vacancy, as vacant, abandoned, and deteriorated…
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