Publications

Michigan

ARPA, Code Enforcement System, COVID-19, Land Banks, Local Analysis, Parcel Data & Neighborhood Markets, Property Tax System, State/National Analysis, Vacant Land Stewardship

Tackling Vacancy and Abandonment
Strategies and Impacts after the Great Recession

Ten years on from the Great Recession, we take stock of lessons learned from that crisis and how they might be applied to future challenges. This edited volume, jointly produced by Community Progress and the Federal Reserve Banks of Atlanta and Cleveland, contains twelve articles by national experts in the field of neighborhood revitalization.

Code Enforcement System, Local Analysis

Turning the Tide
Opportunities for the City of Bay City, Michigan to Improve Residential Property Conditions and Quality of Life

Community Progress worked with Bay City, Michigan to assess its practices and policies for addressing VAD residential properties and identify economic stability risks due to the pandemic.

Code Enforcement System, Local Analysis

Building on Success
Opportunities to Enhance Home Preservation Efforts and Commercial Vacancy Strategies in Lansing, Michigan

Community Progress worked with the City of Lansing, Michigan to assess its practices for addressing vacant property and identify economic stability risks as a result of the global pandemic.

Vacant Land Stewardship

Vacant Land Keys to Success: Resident Engagement
Insights from the National Survey on Greening

In this brief from Keys to Success, you’ll find an explainer on the most-endorsed practice contributing to successful vacant lot maintenance: resident engagement.

Vacant Land Stewardship

Vacant Land Keys to Success: Dedicated Capacity
Insights from the National Survey on Greening

In this brief from Keys to Success, we dive into the capacity challenge facing organizations responsible for vacant land stewardship, and why a response equal to the scope of the problem is necessary.

Vacant Land Stewardship

Vacant Land Keys to Success: Land Access and Acquisition
Insights from the National Survey on Greening

In this brief from Keys to Success, we explore how formal access and acquisition programs are critical for successful vacant land stewardship.

Vacant Land Stewardship

Vacant Land Keys to Success: Planning
Insights from the National Survey on Greening

In this brief from Keys to Success, we tackle inclusive planning and project scope, and why a long-term vision for vacant lot maintenance and greening is a must for all organizations involved.

Vacant Land Stewardship

Vacant Land Keys to Success: Sustainable Funding
Insights from the National Survey on Greening

In this brief from Keys to Success, we explain why sustainable funding is necessary to transform vacant lots into long-term assets for communities.

Vacant Land Stewardship

Vacant Land Keys to Success: Partnerships
Insights from the National Survey on Greening

In this brief from Keys to Success, you’ll find an explainer on how successful strategic partnerships contribute to vacant land stewardship.

Parcel Data & Neighborhood Markets, State/National Analysis

Making the Comeback
Reversing the Downward Trajectory of African American Middle Neighborhoods in Legacy Cities

Black urban middle neighborhoods are facing an existential crisis. This report shares key highlights from Alan Mallach’s research from predominately Black neighborhoods in six legacy cities and offers strategies for Black middle neighborhood revival.

Land Banks

Detroit Land Bank Authority Strategic Plan
Next Five: 2025–2030 Strategic Plan

“Next Five” is a strategic plan for the Detroit Land Bank Authority for 2025-2030, developed by Community Progress in partnership with DLBA.

Brownfields, Land Banks

Land Banks and Brownfields: Case Studies
Examples of Brownfield Redevelopment from Three Land Banks

Examples of how land banks have converted vacant, abandoned, and contaminated properties into community assets.

Code Enforcement System, Local Analysis

Investing in the Vitality of Detroit’s Neighborhoods Through Improved Rental Regulation
A Report for the City of Detroit

Recommendations for changes to Detroit’s Rental Ordinance to help more renter households access safe, healthy housing.

Local Analysis, Vacant Land Stewardship

Understanding and Addressing Non-Structural Blight and Vacant Land in Flint, MI
A Memo to the Flint Non-Structural Blight Work Group

Outcomes of the Flint Non-Structural Blight Work Group and next steps Flint can take in stewarding its inventory of vacant land.

Vacant Land Stewardship

Greening and Community Health
Vacant Land Stewardship Research Series

Stabilizing vacant lots through cleanups and regular maintenance can help to reduce the harms of unmaintained vacant land on mental and physical health.

Local Analysis, Property Tax System, State/National Analysis

From Harm to Home
Replicating Detroit's Make it Home Program

Analyzing cities that have the potential to implement a program similar to Detroit’s Make it Home, transitioning tenants to homeowners.

Local Analysis, Vacant Land Stewardship

Progress Points: Vacant Land Stewardship in Michigan
Improving Neighborhoods by Repurposing Vacant Lots

This one-page brief explains what you need to know about why taking care of vacant lots can improve Michigan neighborhoods.

Land Banks, Vacant Land Stewardship

Greening and Community Safety
Vacant Land Stewardship Research Series

This fact sheet summarizes key takeaways from recent studies exploring the community safety benefits associated with five common greening strategies.

Land Banks, Property Tax System, State/National Analysis

The Scale and Cost of Blight in Michigan
A One-Page Brief

This one-page explainer provides an overview of what it would cost to tackle all of Michigan’s vacant, abandoned, and deteriorated properties.

Land Banks, Local Analysis

Progress Points: Michigan Land Banks
A Brief Primer

This one-page explainer provides an overview of land banks and their impact in Michigan.