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Our blog unpacks complex approaches to community revitalization so you feel ready to return vacant properties to productive use. Sign up for our newsletter to get solutions in your inbox.

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Headlines: The latest on vacant, abandoned, and deteriorated properties – January 25, 2019
January 25, 2019
Headlines: The latest on vacant, abandoned, and deteriorated properties – January 25, 2019

This is our twice-monthly round-up of news stories covering challenges related to vacant, abandoned, and deteriorated properties — and how communities are transforming these properties into assets….

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Building equitable communities: It takes systems reform, collaboration, and community wealth-building
August 7, 2018
Building equitable communities: It takes systems reform, collaboration, and community wealth-building

The day-to-day work of community revitalization is intense and consuming. For all the talk of “breaking down silos,” it is a challenge to carve out the time…

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A Green Culture Shift: Changing Perspectives on Open Space in Detroit
March 8, 2018
A Green Culture Shift: Changing Perspectives on Open Space in Detroit

Whether it’s the roughly 120,000 vacant lots like Detroit, or the roughly 14,000 vacant lots in the City of Baltimore, vacant lot statistics are enough to keep…

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Lots of love for #LoveThatLot! Highlights from the 2018 campaign
February 21, 2018
Lots of love for #LoveThatLot! Highlights from the 2018 campaign

What an amazing year for #LoveThatLot! From in-person celebrations in Albany, New York, Baltimore, Maryland, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to the many Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram posts that filled…

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Time to #LoveThatLot — A Valentine’s Day campaign for revitalization projects!
January 25, 2018
Time to #LoveThatLot — A Valentine’s Day campaign for revitalization projects!

Back again for the fourth year, it’s time to #LoveThatLot! ♥ In 2017, the #LoveThatLot campaign gained national momentum. You took to Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to…

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2017 Year in Review: You made change happen!
December 15, 2017
2017 Year in Review: You made change happen!

Thank you for all you did in 2017 to support communities experiencing property vacancy, abandonment, and deterioration. We reached 1,000s of people through our work, and are…

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‘Inside Out’ project shines light on Edison neighborhood and residents
October 24, 2017
‘Inside Out’ project shines light on Edison neighborhood and residents

Information provided by Kelly Clarke, Executive Director, Kalamazoo County Land Bank.  The ‘Inside Out’ project (Credit: Kalamazoo County Land Bank) What is Inside Out, and how did…

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Kansas City neighborhoods get a boost from pro bono attorneys
September 25, 2017
Kansas City neighborhoods get a boost from pro bono attorneys

By: Peter Hoffman, Rebecca McQuillen, and Kayla Hogan   For thirty years, Legal Aid of Western Missouri’s Economic Development Unit has represented grassroots community groups in Kansas City,…

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How to stop predatory land contracts and rent-to-own scams: require habitability
September 19, 2017
How to stop predatory land contracts and rent-to-own scams: require habitability

Any views or opinions represented in this blog post belong solely to the guest blog author.  By: Sarah B. Mancini and Margot Saunders, National Consumer Law Center The…

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From a Shipping Container to a Solar-Powered Greenhouse: Arts Meets Agriculture in Detroit
September 15, 2017
From a Shipping Container to a Solar-Powered Greenhouse: Arts Meets Agriculture in Detroit

In Detroit, a recycled shipping container will soon become a community beacon for fresh food, job creation, and arts and culture. Part agricultural, part placemaking, the Liberty…

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Why Home Repair Programs Are Essential for Preventing Property Vacancy and Abandonment

Home repair is a core strategy to stop properties from becoming vacant in the first place.

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How Better Data Helps Communities Address Vacancy

What data sources you should be looking at if you’re interested in understanding, tracking, and solving property vacancy in your community.

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Tips for a Successful Session Proposal for the Reclaiming Vacant Properties Conference

How to write a session proposal for the Reclaiming Vacant Properties Conference that will get noticed.

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How a New Jersey Land Bank is Converting Vacant Properties into Homes for Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Holders

Learn how Newark, New Jersey is leveraging an underutilized HCV provision to make homeownership a reality for low-income residents.

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How Philanthropy Powers Land Bank Success 

Examples of how philanthropic partnerships have helped land banks launch new programs to revitalize communities.

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Five Creative Placemaking Projects Reimagining Live-Work Spaces

Examples of live-work unit projects that are transforming their neighborhoods through creative placemaking.

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How to Explain Vacant Property Work: A Plain Language Guide

Talking about community revitalization is hard. Here’s some ways to explain vacancy when people don’t understand your work.

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How Land Banks are Reusing Vacant Land to Build Climate Resilience

Examples of how land banks are transforming vacant land into climate resilience assets through flood mitigation, greening, and partnerships.

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Why You Should Attend the NLBN Summit—Even if You Don’t Work at a Land Bank

The NLBN Summit is your chance to better understand how land banks work and how they can support your goals around developing housing, reusing vacant land, and helping neighborhoods bounce back from economic decline.

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The Basics of Brownfield Redevelopment: Finding and Assessing Brownfields

Brownfield redevelopment reclaims the potential of underutilized properties, improves a neighborhood’s health and wellbeing, and can spark community revitalization.

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