Publications

United States

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

Parcel Data & Neighborhood Markets, State & Local Analysis

Pathway to Partnerships
A Guide for Realtors

A resource guide for realtors collecting lessons learned from the Transforming Neighborhoods program that highlights the successful ways REALTORS® and local governments have partnered to enact inclusive and equitable neighborhood development.

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.

Vacant Land Stewardship

Vacant Land Keys to Success
Lessons from the Field on Vacant Lot Greening

Keys to Success: Lessons from the Field, reports on findings from a six-year research project exploring greening as a method to reduce youth violence and injury. It identifies practices that help greening organizations meet the rising demand for vacant lot care across the country.

State & Local Analysis, Vacant Land Stewardship

America’s Vacant Lot Landscape
Insights from the National Survey on Greening

This report presents descriptive findings from the National Survey on Greening — conducted as part of a five-year research project between the Michigan Youth Violence Prevention Center and the Center for Community Progress — on the current capacity, practices, and trends these organizations are experiencing and what they still need to effectively manage their growing vacant lot inventories.

Brownfields, Land Banks

Emerging Practices & Practical Considerations for Land Banks & Brownfield Redevelopment
A Practical Guide

Practical guidance and case studies for land banks that want to redevelop contaminated vacant and abandoned properties.

Brownfields, Land Banks

Land Banks & Brownfield Redevelopment: Step by Step
A Brief Overview

A step-by-step guide for how land banks can redevelop polluted or contaminated properties and put them back to productive use.

Land Banks

The Road Ahead for Land Banks
Opportunities for Growth and Greater Equity

For nearly 15 years, the Center for Community Progress has tirelessly worked with hundreds of land bank leaders, practitioners, partners, and allies to help land banks revitalize their communities. Through our expert guidance, resources, leadership programming, policy advocacy, and the National Land Bank Network (NLBN), we have been an integral…

Land Banks

How Land Banks Are Leading Racial Justice Efforts
Moving from Vision to Action for Equitable Development

It is not a coincidence that systemic vacancy—and its associated social, economic, and environmental harms—disproportionately affects Black and Brown neighborhoods. This is the result of decades of racist, inequitable policies and institutional disinvestment. Land banks are a powerful tool to break this cycle of vacancy, coordinate new investments in long-neglected…

Property Tax System

Policy Brief: Tyler v. Hennepin County in 2024
Updated Analysis and Policy Reform Options

Updated analysis for 2024 about the implications of Tyler v. Hennepin County on communities’ ability to tackle vacancy properties.

Creative Placemaking

How Local Governments Can Facilitate Creative Placemaking on Vacant Property
Recommendations for Policy and Practice

Creative placemaking is the practice of enhancing a neighborhood’s quality of life through arts, culture, and intentional community development to meet the vision of the people who live, work, and play there. This practice takes various forms, including but not limited to temporary visual art installations, performance events, and permanent…

Land Banks

Sample Land Bank Long-Term Housing Affordability Disposition Policy
A Resource for Land Banks and Their Community Land Trust Partners

A resource for land banks and their community land trust partners outlining a framework for disposition policies that incentivize long-term affordable housing.

Brownfields

Brownfield Remediation & Reuse
A Brief Primer

Guidance for reusing brownfield properties, particularly for land banks that want to tackle contaminated property.

Brownfields, Land Banks

How to Form a Land Bank
A 10-Step Guide

A ten-step guide to forming a land bank in your community.

Brownfields, Land Banks

Land Banks & Brownfields
A Brief Primer

Land banks are uniquely positioned to tackle contaminated and potentially contaminated vacant properties. Learn more.