Publications

United States

State/National Analysis

Heirs’ Property and Land Fractionation
Fostering Stable Ownership to Prevent Land Loss and Abandonment

Real property passed to subsequent generations via intestate succession (i.e., without a will) is termed a tenancy-in-common, or more colloquially, “heirs’ property.” Property may also be classed as heirs’ property via an intentional simple will that divides real estate assets equally among descendants. With this kind of property ownership, co-heirs…

Creative Placemaking

People in Place
The Case for Bridging Place-Based and People-Based Interventions to Disrupt Intergenerational Poverty

This report outlines findings from a gathering of more than 60 thought leaders in place- and people-based institutions dedicated to ending intergenerational poverty.

Creative Placemaking, State/National Analysis

Trends in Creative Placemaking on Problem Properties
2019 National Survey Findings

This report shares trends, case studies, and survey responses from people involved in creative placemaking and shares how they’re addressing problem properties to advance community revitalization.

Creative Placemaking, Local Analysis

Creative Placemaking on Vacant Properties
Lessons Learned from Four Cities

This report offers a definition of creative placemaking and describes how arts and culture can be used to revive vacant properties.

Parcel Data & Neighborhood Markets, State/National Analysis

The Empty House Next Door
Understanding and Reducing Vacancy and Hypervacancy in the United States

In this Lincoln Institute of Land Policy publication, renowned city planner and housing advocate Alan Mallach presents effective strategies for community leaders, local officials, and nonprofits contending with vacant properties in the United States.

Parcel Data & Neighborhood Markets

Neighborhoods by Numbers
An Introduction to Finding and Using Small Area Data

This guide aims to make data on properties more accessible and to encourage people to use it to make better decisions about the future of their communities.

Code Enforcement System

Raising the Bar
Linking Landlord Incentives and Regulation through Rental Licensing – A Short Guide for Local Officials

Regulating the condition and operation of rental housing is a major challenge for local governments. This report offers guidance on helping municipalities get the most out of a licensing system, improving the quality of rental management, and offering incentives to responsible landlords.

Vacant Land Stewardship

Boosting Productivity
Lessons from the Green Reuse and Vacant Land Maintenance Learning Exchange

This report shares the findings from a learning exchange with Detroit and New Orleans around strategies to meet community needs and reduce public land maintenance costs through vacant land reuse.

Land Banks

Land Banks and Land Banking, 2nd Edition
The Authoritative Resource on Modern Land Banking

Land Banks and Land Banking, 2nd Ed., provides clear historic context about the development of land banking and foundational information about when a land bank is the right tool, and the fundamentals of how land banks work.

Land Banks, State/National Analysis

Take it to the Bank
How Land Banks Are Strengthening America's Neighborhoods

In Take it to the Bank: How Land Banks Are Strengthening America’s Neighborhoods, the Center for Community Progress’ research of more than half the nation’s land banks reveals this and other trends in the growing land bank movement.

Code Enforcement System

Progress Points: Strategic Code Compliance
A Brief Primer

This brief explains how equitable, efficient, and effective code enforcement can be successful in preventing vacancy.

Code Enforcement System

Reevaluating Code Enforcement
A New Approach to Addressing Problem Properties

Traditional code enforcement—focused on issuing citations and fines—isn’t working in the places that need it most. A more strategic approach could change that.

Creative Placemaking, Local Analysis, Vacant Land Stewardship

The Resident’s Workbook
for Dealing with Vacant Buildings and Lots

A workbook and guide and workbook for residents who want to help address problem properties in their neighborhoods.

Land Banks

2023 State of Land Banking Survey

The State of Land Banking Survey, first conducted in 2021, represents the only opportunity for the land banking field to tell its story with comprehensive data. Key takeaways from this year’s survey: Citing this research: “2023 State of Land Banking Survey,” Center for Community Progress, October 2023. www.communityprogress.org/publications/2023-state-of-land-banking

Property Tax System

Policy Brief: Tyler v. Hennepin County
Analysis and Policy Reform Options for State and Local Governments

What state and local government leaders need to know to reform their property tax foreclosure systems after Tyler v. Hennepin County.

Property Tax System

Reimagine Delinquent Property Tax Enforcement
How to Reduce Vacancy, Advance Racial Equity, and Improve Public Services

This publication lays a general foundation for understanding the property tax system, but specifically focuses on ways to reform the delinquent property tax enforcement process for vacant properties—those properties that pose the greatest harm to a community.

Land Banks

2022 State of Land Banking Survey
An Update from the National Land Bank Network

We provide an overview of what NLBN is, the state of land banks in the United States today, and what resources land banks need to thrive.

Racial Equity

Championing Leaders of Color in Housing Equity and Community Development
Results of a Survey of the Community Development Field

Championing Leaders of Color reflects an effort to uncover and disrupt the systems that perpetuate racial inequity in the communities we serve and the organizations where we work. This report presents findings from a national survey distributed to stakeholders in the community development field, provides insights into data and trends gleaned from responses, and deliberates implications for leaders in, funders to, and supporters of the community development field to consider in service of equitable results.

State/National Analysis

From State Capitols to City Halls
Smarter State Policies for Stronger Cities

Cities are often held hostage by state policy—but they don’t need to be. This report by Alan Mallach explains the push and pull between city and state governments, and lays the foundation for a more constructive future.

Parcel Data & Neighborhood Markets

Progress Points: Neighborhood Markets and Data
A Brief Primer

This brief explains why understanding local real estate markets and how they affect the community is essential to addressing vacant properties.