# Center for Community Progress: Vacant Spaces into Vibrant Places

> Community Progress the leading nonprofit dedicated to helping state and local governments turn vacant properties into vibrant places\.

Generated by Yoast SEO v28.0, this is an llms.txt file, meant for consumption by LLMs.

## Pages
- [FAQ](https://communityprogress.org/rvp26/faq/)
- [Registration](https://communityprogress.org/rvp26/registration/)
- [Reclaiming Vacant Properties 2026 Conference](https://communityprogress.org/rvp26/)
- [Support the Conference](https://communityprogress.org/rvp26/sponsorship/)
- [Mentorship Program](https://communityprogress.org/nlbn/mentorship-program/)

## Posts
- [What Pung v\. Isabella Means for Communities Dealing with Vacant, Tax\-Delinquent Property](https://communityprogress.org/blog/pung-v-isabella-vacancy-tax-delinquency/): What communities dealing with property vacancy, abandonment, and tax delinquency should expect following the Supreme Court's ruling in Pung\.
- [How Vacant and Abandoned Buildings Affect Communities](https://communityprogress.org/blog/how-vacant-abandoned-buildings-affect-community/): 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\.
- [Proposed Housing Legislation in the 119th Congress: What Land Banks Need to Know](https://communityprogress.org/blog/proposed-housing-legislation-in-the-119th-congress-what-land-banks-need-to-know/): Guidance for land banks on emerging housing legislation moving through Congress\.
- [How Land Banks and Under\-Resourced Developers Can Collaborate to Build Affordable Housing](https://communityprogress.org/blog/land-banks-under-resourced-developers/): Ways that land banks and under\-resourced developers can collaborate to build green, affordable infill housing\.
- [What are Proactive Rental Inspection Programs?: Keeping Homes Occupied and Communities Healthy](https://communityprogress.org/blog/proactive-rental-inspection-programs/): 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\.

## Donation Forms
- [General Donation Form](https://communityprogress.org/donations/new-donate-1/): Build Vibrant Communities With Us\. Your gift supports Community Progress’ work to end and prevent vacancy\.

## Vacant Land
- [Tatum Park](https://communityprogress.org/resources/projects/tatum-park/): Tatum Park in Toledo, Ohio is a community green space spanning several lots with a native garden growing organic produce, a market that sells the produce, and a site for environmental eductaional engagement\. Sonia Organics and Bench Farms worked in collaboration with the Lucas County Land Bank to demolish the abandoned home on the lot and prepare it for the new initiative\.
- [Manhattan Marsh](https://communityprogress.org/resources/projects/manhattan-marsh/): The Manhattan Marsh Metropark is a park in the north of Toledo, Ohio that includes a boardwalk trail and over 90 acres of wetland for visitors to observe the natural wildlife\. In collaboration with the City of Toledo and the Lucas County Land Bank, Metroparks Toledo was able to be transferred over 3 dozen parcels through the land bank's tax foreclosure work\.
- [Hematite Art Park](https://communityprogress.org/resources/projects/hematite-art-park/): The Hematite Art Park is a public green space in front of Ishpeming High School \(IHS\) featuring art from local students, benches, a gazebo and landscaping\. For the project, the Marquette County Land Bank in partnership with the IHS and the Ishpeming Community Foundation Youth Advisory Committee\.
- [Faith Farms \& Orchard](https://communityprogress.org/resources/projects/faith-farms-orchard/): The Faith Farms \& Orchard is a revitalization project through a USDA certified urban farm, pollinator park, and agricultural education center\. In partnership with the City of Gary, Indiana, the FAITH organization was given a property with vacant homes that were demolished by the City to address issues of food justice\.
- [Penrose Market Garden](https://communityprogress.org/resources/projects/penrose-market-garden/): A place for individual and community activity and recreation, the design of the Garden includes a welcoming entrance, outdoor classroom space, walks and connections to the surrounding areas, a lawn/gathering/event area lined with flower beds for the market garden’s cut flowers, shade structures and seating\.

## Creative Placemaking
- [Steps at Main](https://communityprogress.org/resources/creative-placemaking/projects/steps-at-main/): In Reading, Pennsylvania, the Reading Public Library joined forces with community organizations to offers its steps as venue for community events\. Library administrators recognize that performing arts are a way to build relationships with community members and transform community members’ perception of its space\.
- [The Exchange House and Backyard](https://communityprogress.org/resources/creative-placemaking/projects/the-exchange-house/): In Akron, Ohio, a vacant building that was once a school supply store has been transformed into the Exchange House, a gathering space and hostel for travelers seeking a culturally immersive experience\.
- [Union Station Revival](https://communityprogress.org/resources/creative-placemaking/projects/union-station-revival/): A nonprofit organization focused on urban exploration, art, and preservation led the effort to beautify an abandoned rail station in Gary, Indiana, with the plan of converting the 4,000 square foot space into a cultural hub and economic driver for the city\.
- [The Yes\! House](https://communityprogress.org/resources/creative-placemaking/projects/the-yes-house/): In downtown Granite Falls, Minnesota, a vacant commercial space is becoming The Yes\! House, a theater venue, regional hub for artists and creatives, youth recreation zone, and community gathering space to nurture conversations around social change\.
- [Vacant Homes Tour](https://communityprogress.org/resources/creative-placemaking/projects/vacant-homes-tour/): The Vacant Homes Tour in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, showcased vacant and abandoned properties, their histories, and potential\. The tour took participants on a journey back in time through the stories of the people and homes of a once vibrant community, and worked to reframe the narrative around vacant properties from challenges to assets\.

## Publications
- [Progress Points: The Cost of Systemic Vacancy](https://communityprogress.org/publications/progress-points-systemic-vacancy/): What is systemic vacancy and how is it different from just a couple of vacant properties? This onepager provides a brief explainer\.
- [30 for \(20\)30](https://communityprogress.org/publications/kalamazoo-land-bank-strategic-plan/)
- [Houston Land Bank and Community Land Trusts](https://communityprogress.org/publications/houston-land-banks-and-community-land-trusts/): As the City of Houston recovers from Hurricane Harvey, local leaders are considering how tools like land banks and community land trusts can work together to transform vacant and damaged properties into affordable housing opportunities for generations to come\.
- [Breaking Barriers for Under\-Resourced Developers](https://communityprogress.org/publications/breaking-barriers-under-resourced-developers/): The challenges under\-resourced affordable housing developments face and how key partners can support them\.
- [West Jackson Property Condition and Resident Perception Survey Findings](https://communityprogress.org/publications/west-jackson-mississippi-vacant-property-survey/): What we know about vacant properties in Mississippi's West Jackson neighborhood\.

## VL Elements
- [Mow\-To\-Own Program \(New Orleans\)](https://communityprogress.org/resources/vacant-land/elements/examples/mow-to-own-program-new-orleans/): New Orleans' 'Mow\-to\-Own' Program invites homeowners adjacent to blighted lots to apply to take care of the empty spaces with the goal of purchasing them down the line\.
- [Vacant Land Assessment System \(VLAS\)](https://communityprogress.org/resources/vacant-land/elements/examples/vacant-land-assessment-system-vlas/): The Vacant Land Assessment System \(VLAS\) uses ArcGIS tools to create strategies for assessing and prioritizing vacant lots for their most suitable regeneration possibilities\. The tool analyzes the geographical surroundings, potential repurposing strategies and property features to classify them and provide ideas for transforming the lots\. The VLAS framework becomes a powerful strategy for future planning in a way that is collaborative across disciplines and stakeholders and assesses lots effectively\.
- [Chicago’s Vacant Lots Near Transit: An ETOD Deep Dive](https://communityprogress.org/resources/vacant-land/elements/examples/chicagos-vacant-lots-near-transit-an-etod-deep-dive/): In Elevated Chicago's report, a case study of two areas in Chicago near transit hubs discuss the impact of vacant lots as well as the potential they hold for the area\.
- [Terra Firma Vacant Lot Toolkit](https://communityprogress.org/resources/vacant-land/elements/examples/terra-firma-vacant-lot-toolkit/): The Terra Firma Vacant Lot Toolkit provides extensive background on vacant lots in Chicago while laying out actionable goals and steps for others to transform parcels into spaces of dignity\. Created by the Emerald South Economic Development Collaborative, this toolkit sets out to provide a blueprint for various stakeholders that are interested in embarking on this work\.
- [Perceptions of Detroit vacant lot greening designs related to depressive symptoms and household flooding](https://communityprogress.org/resources/vacant-land/elements/examples/perceptions-of-detroit-vacant-lot-greening-designs-related-to-depressive-symptoms-and-household-flooding/): A study led by the University of Michigan and the University of Michigan\-Dearborn aims to understand the connection between vacant lot maintenance, such as greenwater storm infrastructure \(GSI\), and subsequent mental health effects\.

## Press Releases
- [Center for Community Progress Announces Participants in “Land Banks Addressing Housing Insecurity Learning Exchange”](https://communityprogress.org/press/land-banks-housing-insecurity-learning-exchange/): Three land banks selected to join national peer\-learning program focused on expanding affordable housing for vulnerable populations\.
- [Center for Community Progress Announces Recipients of Clearing Title, Catalyzing Neighborhoods Awards with Support from $3M Wells Fargo Foundation Grant](https://communityprogress.org/press/clearing-title-catalyzing-neighborhoods-awards/): Sixteen nonprofit organizations receive awards to provide education or support to families experiencing heirs’ property challenges\.
- [Community Progress Welcomes Presley Gillespie’s Return to Board of Directors](https://communityprogress.org/press/presley-gillespie-community-progress-board-2026/): Returning board member brings deep leadership experience and strong ties to Pittsburgh as Community Progress prepares for Reclaiming Vacant Properties Conference\.
- [Community Progress Announces Recipients of Technical Assistance Award to Advance Brownfield Revitalization](https://communityprogress.org/press/technical-assistance-brownfields-award/): Build Baton Rouge; the Maine Redevelopment Land Bank Authority; and the City of Raton, New Mexico selected for national technical assistance award\. 
- [Reclaiming Vacant Properties Conference Returns to Pittsburgh in 2026](https://communityprogress.org/press/rvp-2026-announcement-pittsburgh/): The 2026 Reclaiming Vacant Properties Conference \(RVP\) will be held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on September 22–25, 2026, at the David L\. Lawrence Convention Center\.

## Events
- [Securing and Deploying Brownfields Funding for Land Banks](https://communityprogress.org/event-list/securing-brownfields-funding/): Learn about the role land banks can play in remediation and reuse, how to successfully procure and deploy brownfields funding, and the positive community impact land banks have when they can engage in this work\.
- [Challenges and Opportunities in Changing Urban Housing Markets](https://communityprogress.org/event-list/changing-urban-housing-markets/): Explore the dynamics behind recent shifts in urban housing markets and what they mean for community development practitioners\.
- [Understanding Neighborhood Housing Markets](https://communityprogress.org/event-list/understanding-neighborhood-housing-markets/)
- [Using Parcel Data to Inform Local VAD Strategies ](https://communityprogress.org/event-list/using-parcel-data-to-inform-local-vad-strategies/)
- [Training: Securing Sustainable Funding for Land Banks](https://communityprogress.org/event-list/training-securing-sustainable-funding-for-land-banks/)

## Our Team
- [Liz Kozub](https://communityprogress.org/about/our-team/liz-kozub/)
- [Alan Mallach](https://communityprogress.org/about/our-team/alan-mallach/)
- [Madison Gharghoury](https://communityprogress.org/about/our-team/madison-gharghoury/)
- [Kim Graziani](https://communityprogress.org/about/our-team/kim-graziani/)
- [Mallory Rappaport](https://communityprogress.org/about/our-team/mallory-rappaport/)

## Case Studies
- [Developing Practical Tools to Scale Up Land Banking Across Georgia](https://communityprogress.org/services/technical-assistance/case-studies/georgia-land-bank-resource-guide-case-study/): How Community Progress developed ready\-to\-use guides that more than doubled the number of land banks across Georgia\.
- [Helping the Tri\-COG Land Bank Develop a Strategy to Transform Vacant Properties in Pennsylvania](https://communityprogress.org/services/technical-assistance/case-studies/tri-cog-land-bank-strategic-plan-case-study/): How we helped the Tri\-COG land bank chart a bold vision for the next five years, and position it as a catalyst for change in the Mon Valley of Pennsylvania\.
- [Auditing Louisville, Kentucky's Code Enforcement Program Through an Equity Lens](https://communityprogress.org/resources/case-studies/louisville-kentucky-code-enforcement-case-study/): How we helped Louisville with a collaborative workshop and data\-driven reforms to make code enforcement more equitable, efficient, and effective\.

## Board of Directors
- [Presley L\. Gillespie](https://communityprogress.org/about/board/presley-l-gillespie/)
- [Connie Wright](https://communityprogress.org/about/board/connie-wright/)
- [Ernst Valery](https://communityprogress.org/about/board/ernst-valery/)
- [Brett Theodos](https://communityprogress.org/about/board/brett-theodos/)
- [Christa Stoneham](https://communityprogress.org/about/board/christa-stoneham/)

## Data \& Stories
- [Vacant and “Blighted” Properties in the American South: Historical Causes and Today’s Patterns](https://communityprogress.org/data-stories/southern-property-vacancy-maps/): Explore through maps where property vacancy and abandonment are the biggest challenges in the South and understand the historic causes behind why it is a persistent, widespread challenge today\.
- [Challenges and Opportunities to Revitalizing Historic Black Commercial Corridors](https://communityprogress.org/data-stories/black-commercial-corridor-revitalization/): We explore how community engagement, creative placemaking, and public\-private investment are helping revitalize vacant and deteriorated properties in historic Black commercial corridors, drawing lessons from Alabama communities and across the country\.
- [Vacant, Abandoned, and Deteriorated Properties Federal Policy Tracker](https://communityprogress.org/data-stories/federal-revitalization-policy-tracker/): This dashboard is an interactive, regularly updated federal legislative tracker focused on bills and policy actions that affect community revitalization\. It organizes key information on proposals in Congress—such as bill status, sponsors, subject area, and key provisions—so you can quickly understand what’s moving in federal policy and how it may impact local work on vacant property, housing, economic development, and neighborhood stability\.
- [Five Action Areas on Vacant and Deteriorated Property for Detroit’s Next Administration](https://communityprogress.org/data-stories/detroit-vacant-property-recommendations-2026/):  Five recommendations for Detroit’s 2026 mayoral administration to leverage the city's 175,000\+ vacant and abandoned properties for housing, open space, and other uses that revitalize the city, and build on progress to address vacancy to date\. 
- [National Land Bank Survey Dashboard](https://communityprogress.org/data-stories/national-land-bank-survey-dashboard/): Every two years, the National Land Bank Network surveys the 300\+ land banks and land banking programs across the country to capture the state of the field\. The 2025 State of Land Banking Survey highlights the diverse roles, needs, and impact of these organizations\.

## Tangible Templates
- [Resource Library Background Image](https://communityprogress.org/?tangible_template=resource-library-background-image)
- [Events Archive Mobile](https://communityprogress.org/?tangible_template=events-archive-mobile)
- [events\_sidebar](https://communityprogress.org/?tangible_template=events_sidebar)

## Event Types
- [Virtual](https://communityprogress.org/events/virtual/)
- [In\-Person](https://communityprogress.org/events/in-person/)
- [Conference](https://communityprogress.org/events/conference/)
- [Conference \| In Person](https://communityprogress.org/events/conference-in-person/)

## Resource Library Topics
- [Vacant Properties](https://communityprogress.org/resources/library/topic/vacant-properties/)
- [Strategic Code Enforcement](https://communityprogress.org/resources/library/topic/strategic-code-enforcement/)
- [Systemic Vacancy](https://communityprogress.org/resources/library/topic/systemic-vacancy/)

## Optional
- [Sitemap index](https://communityprogress.org/sitemap_index.xml)