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Group hug: Institutions join together to revitalize west Philadelphia
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…

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Tax lien sales are no panacea for local governments
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…

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

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

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President’s Preview
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…

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Online RVP: Join in on the Reclaiming Vacant Properties Conference from anywhere
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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Redevelopment Perspectives: New Orleans and Pittsburgh by David Lessinger, New Orleans Redevelopment Authority
August 5, 2013
Redevelopment Perspectives: New Orleans and Pittsburgh by David Lessinger, New Orleans Redevelopment Authority

Originally posted by David Lessinger on NORA’s website. I recently had the opportunity to visit Pittsburgh and see for myself its redevelopment challenges and successes. What I…

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Forget NSP, Tax Credits Will Save Neighborhoods by Alan Mallach, Senior Fellow, Center for Community Progress
June 28, 2013
Forget NSP, Tax Credits Will Save Neighborhoods by Alan Mallach, Senior Fellow, Center for Community Progress

Originally posted by Alan Mallach in the National Housing Institute’s Rooflines Blog, June 21, 2013. In my last two posts, I tried first to explain why NSP…

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Detroit and four other Michigan cities to receive additional federal dollars for strategic demolition
June 12, 2013
Detroit and four other Michigan cities to receive additional federal dollars for strategic demolition

In an exciting development, the U.S. Treasury Department announced last week that Michigan may use up to $100 Million—or 20%—of its Hardest Hit Fund (HHF) allocation for…

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What Creating a Stable Neighborhood Really Means by Alan Mallach, Senior Fellow, Center for Community Progress
May 21, 2013
What Creating a Stable Neighborhood Really Means by Alan Mallach, Senior Fellow, Center for Community Progress

Originally posted by Alan Mallach in National Housing Institute’s Rooflines Blog, May 14, 2013. Community Progress Senior Fellow, Alan Mallach, discusses the basic principles of neighborhood stabilization…

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Ira Goldstein on Lessons in Redevelopment Without Displacement from Pittsburgh’s Hazelwood Neighborhood: An RVP Speaker Spotlight

We asked one of our speakers to preview his session at the 2026 Reclaiming Vacant Properties Conference, and what you’ll learn by attending.

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Jack BeVier on Rethinking Vacant Property Strategy in an Era of Private Reinvestment: An RVP Speaker Spotlight

We asked one of our speakers to preview his session at the 2026 Reclaiming Vacant Properties Conference, and what you’ll learn by attending.

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Aaron Sukenik and Cate Irvin on Sustaining Storefront Activation in Downtown Pittsburgh: An RVP Speaker Spotlight

We asked our speakers to preview their walking tour at the 2026 Reclaiming Vacant Properties Conference, and what you’ll learn by attending.

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Get Ready for the ROAD to Housing Act: Steps to Take Before Accessing New Housing Funds

What the ROAD to Housing Act contains relating to community revitalization and vacant property reuse.

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What Pung v. Isabella Means for Communities Dealing with Vacant, Tax-Delinquent Property

What communities dealing with property vacancy, abandonment, and tax delinquency should expect following the Supreme Court’s ruling in Pung.

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Proposed Housing Legislation in the 119th Congress: What Land Banks Need to Know

Guidance for land banks on emerging housing legislation moving through Congress.

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How Vacant and Abandoned Buildings Affect Communities

Learn how vacant, abandoned, and deteriorated properties—referred to by some as “blighted properties”—pose significant costs to public health, property values, and local taxpayers.

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How Land Banks and Under-Resourced Developers Can Collaborate to Build Affordable Housing

Ways that land banks and under-resourced developers can collaborate to build green, affordable infill housing.

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What are Proactive Rental Inspection Programs?: Keeping Homes Occupied and Communities Healthy

Proactive rental inspection programs shift code enforcement from reactive to strategic, identifying health hazards like lead paint, mold, and broken heating before they harm tenants or push properties toward vacancy. Learn how local governments design effective programs, with examples from cities across the country.

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How Land Banks Can Address Brownfields: Case Studies

Land banks are well-positioned to engage in brownfield redevelopment. As public entities with unique powers to address vacant, abandoned, and deteriorated properties, land banks can help communities return these properties to productive use in alignment with community goals. A growing number of communities across the country are seeing land banks…

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