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Community Progress regularly posts to this blog on a range of related topics to help communities across the country turn vacant spaces into vibrant places. Please check back regularly, and sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest news directly in your inbox.

September 26, 2013

Op-Ed: ‘Demolition’ is not a bad word — Just keep it strategic

Cross-posted from Next City, this article is part of the 2013 Reclaiming Vacant Properties Conference liveblog series. Check out all the in-depth content — even if you weren’t able to…

September 25, 2013

The Mayors’ Exchange on Unlocking Value in Vacancy: Full Video

Five mayors from cities across the country joined us at the Reclaiming Vacant Properties Conference to share how their own communities are putting innovative programs into practice….

September 24, 2013

Baltimore’s Three-Part System for Dealing With Vacant Properties

Cross-posted from Next City, this article is part of the 2013 Reclaiming Vacant Properties Conference liveblog series. Check out all the in-depth content — even if you weren’t able to…

September 19, 2013

Top headlines from the 2013 Reclaiming Vacant Properties Conference

Thank you to everyone who joined us at the Reclaiming Vacant Properties Conference last week in Philadelphia! Below, we’ve shared some of the most interesting headlines related…

September 11, 2013

Group hug: Institutions join together to revitalize west Philadelphia

Cross-posted from Next City, this article is part of the 2013 Reclaiming Vacant Properties Conference liveblog series. Check out all the in-depth content — even if you weren’t able to…

September 11, 2013

Tax lien sales are no panacea for local governments

Cross-posted from Next City, this article is part of the 2013 Reclaiming Vacant Properties Conference liveblog series. Check out all the in-depth content — even if you weren’t…

September 10, 2013

In Philadelphia, online: top tweets from two days at Reclaiming Vacant Properties

Two days down, too many tweets to count. This year’s Reclaiming Vacant Properties Conference has been more inspiring and instructive than ever. On Monday, some workshops went…

September 5, 2013

Adding “oomph” to enforcement: a statewide coalition reshapes Louisiana’s blight fight

What started out as a lunchtime conversation at a national conference back in 2010 culminated this past spring with state legislative reforms that dramatically strengthen blight prevention…

September 5, 2013

President’s Preview

Next week, over 700 professionals from around the country will descend on Philadelphia for the fifth Reclaiming Vacant Properties Conference, coming together to share ideas and inspire action…

September 4, 2013

Online RVP: Join in on the Reclaiming Vacant Properties Conference from anywhere

The Reclaiming Vacant Properties Conference is happening in Philadelphia from September 9-11, 2013, and we’re working hard to ensure that you can reap the benefits online as…

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Why Heirs’ Property is a Problem for Vacancy and Abandonment

To address vacant, abandoned, and deteriorated (VAD) properties, local governments must first identify what types of VAD properties exist in the community. Some properties are abandoned with no mortgage and near tax foreclosure. Some fall into disrepair during a long mortgage foreclosure process. In other cases, a property owner may…

Driving Change: A Mid-Year Reflection from Community Progress

A letter from our CEO & President about our work in the first six months of 2024.

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.

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.

The 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.

How Vacant and Abandoned Buildings Affect the Community

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.

What Can Neighbors Do about Vacant Buildings and Lots?

When neighbors come together, they can be a powerful voice for community revitalization.

What 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.

What’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.

How 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?

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