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The Housing Recovery: Now You See It, Now You Don’t
January 3, 2014
The Housing Recovery: Now You See It, Now You Don’t

Originally posted on the National Housing Institute’s Rooflines blog The housing market is coming back. Finally, after listening to false hopes and promises for the last few…

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Season’s greetings from Community Progress
December 23, 2013
Season’s greetings from Community Progress

Season’s greetings from Community Progress! As 2013 comes to a close, we took some time to reflect on the last twelve months. It’s easy to declare, “It…

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Demolition the right way: Using strategic demolition to revitalize communities
December 20, 2013
Demolition the right way: Using strategic demolition to revitalize communities

Though temperatures were in the low 40’s, spirits were high when I attended the 3rd Anniversary of the multifaceted Vacants to Value program in Baltimore last month….

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Can we demolish our way to revitalization?
December 9, 2013
Can we demolish our way to revitalization?

Originally posted on the National Housing Institute’s Rooflines blog While the answer to that question in the title of this piece is obvious, there’s a strong case…

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What we’re thankful for today
November 28, 2013
What we’re thankful for today

If there’s one thing we’ve learned in this line of work it’s that, all over the country, there are thousands of talented, passionate leaders doggedly fighting the…

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Community Progress’ Kim Graziani and PACDC’s Rick Sauer talk Philly Land Bank on WHYY
November 8, 2013
Community Progress’ Kim Graziani and PACDC’s Rick Sauer talk Philly Land Bank on WHYY

“Will Philadelphia create a land bank, and how would it be most effective and equitable?” This was the question of the hour as Kim Graziani, Vice President…

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I Wish This Were a ______: A community re-imagines a blighted building in Lansing
November 6, 2013
I Wish This Were a ______: A community re-imagines a blighted building in Lansing

Some chalkboard paint and a bucket of chalk turned a vacant eyesore into a canvas of possibilities in Lansing, Michigan’s Urbandale neighborhood. The abandoned, crumbling Paro Party…

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The feds bow out: We’re on our own
October 31, 2013
The feds bow out: We’re on our own

Originally posted on the National Housing Institute’s Rooflines blog Yes, the federal government is back in business. After 16 days and untold billions in lost earnings and…

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Historic blight blitz is now underway in Flint, Saginaw
October 25, 2013
Historic blight blitz is now underway in Flint, Saginaw

A historic new ‘blight blitz’ is now underway in Michigan, constituting the largest blight removal program in the state’s history. Both the state and the nation have…

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Property tax madness: Another part of the Detroit puzzle
October 16, 2013
Property tax madness: Another part of the Detroit puzzle

There are many reasons that Detroit has filed for bankruptcy, and some have already been explored by others on Rooflines. Detroit’s problems have accumulated over decades, and are a…

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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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How Opportunity Zones 2.0 Can Leverage Existing Vacant Property Inventories

Ideas for Opportunity Zones 2.0 to leverage existing vacant properties in distressed communities, with land bank support.

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What is a Land Bank?

A land bank is a public entity with unique powers to put vacant, abandoned, and deteriorated properties back to productive use according to community goals.

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What is a Brownfield?

Brownfield properties, often referred to as “brownfields,” are properties where the presence or potential presence of hazardous substance, pollutant, or contaminant makes redevelopment challenging and costly.

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What to Know About the Neighborhood Homes Investment Act in 2025

NHIA would create a new federal tax credit to support construction or rehabilitation of single-family homes in distressed communities.

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How to Buy Property From a Land Bank

Find a land bank near you and make sure you understand what makes them different from traditional real estate sellers.

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To Prevent Illegal Dumping, You Have to Know the Scale of the Problem

How to conduct a neighborhood survey to assess the scale of illegal dumping and prioritize city resources for cleanup and prevention.

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Five Innovative Approaches from Land Banks Across the Country

Five examples of creative approaches land banks have taken to addressing vacant, abandoned, and deteriorated properties.

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Meet the 2024-25 Cohort of Community Revitalization Fellows

Grassroots community leaders from Lafayette, Memphis, and Rochester share their stories and motivations for community revitalization.

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Our Commitment to Code Enforcement: 2024 Recap

In 2024, Community Progress doubled down on its commitment to helping local governments use code enforcement to address VAD properties.

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