Publications

Community Progress publishes reports, case studies, and toolkits to help communities across the country turn vacant spaces into vibrant places. Download hundreds of free resources today, and sign up for our newsletter to receive the latest publications directly in your inbox.

Local Analysis, Parcel Data & Neighborhood Markets

The Cost of Vacant and Blighted Properties in Atlanta
A Conservative Analysis of Service and Spillover Costs

In this analysis, the author formulates conservative measures of some of the chief costs imposed by vacant properties in the City of Atlanta.

Code Enforcement System, Local Analysis, Parcel Data & Neighborhood Markets

Building a Strategic, Data-Driven Code Enforcement Program for Gary, Indiana
A Community Progress Technical Assistance Report

This report shares the findings from our technical assistance engagement with the City of Gary, Indiana.

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, Local Analysis

Evaluation of the Tri-COG Land Bank Business Plan
A Solid Foundation for a Regional Approach to Vacancy and Abandonment in the Mon Valley and Beyond

Community Progress evaluates the 2014 Tri-COG Land Bank Business Plan, recognizes and commends key elements, and details areas for further improvement.

Code Enforcement System, Local Analysis

Judicial In Rem Code Enforcement and Judicial In Rem Tax Sales
Optimum Tools to Combat Vacancy and Abandonment in Atlanta

This report identifies the optimum legal and policy response to vacant, abandoned, and substandard properties—single family, multi-family and commercial units—in light of the tools currently available to the City of Atlanta.

Code Enforcement System, Land Banks, Local Analysis, Parcel Data & Neighborhood Markets, Property Tax System

An Assessment of Vacant and Abandoned Properties in Wilmington, Delaware
A Community Progress Technical Assistance Report

This report shares the findings of Community Progress’ 2014 technical assistance engagement with the City of Wilmington, Delaware.

Code Enforcement System, Local Analysis, Parcel Data & Neighborhood Markets

Community Assessment and Recommendations to Address Vacancy and Abandonment in Uptown Butte
A Community Progress Technical Assistance Report

This report shares the findings from our technical assistance engagement with the City and County of Butte-Silver Bow, Montana.

Local Analysis, Parcel Data & Neighborhood Markets

Improving Data and Information Systems to Tackle Vacant and Abandoned Property in Lafayette, Louisana
A Community Progress Technical Assistance Report

In this report, we share our observations and findings from our research and interviews with Lafayette stakeholders and offer a number of organizational, technical, and information sharing recommendations.

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.

Parcel Data & Neighborhood Markets, State/National Analysis

Who’s Moving to the Cities, Who Isn’t
Comparing American Cities

The fact that something is happening in American cities is beyond dispute. Is it just about the march of the millennials to the cities, or, as many writers claim, is it about a shift in preferences cutting across generations; and is it affecting all American cities to roughly the same extent, or are certain cities benefiting, while others are falling behind?

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.

Code Enforcement System, Land Banks

Recommendations for the Hopkinsville and Christian County Landbank Authority
Addressing Vacant and Abandoned Properties through Code Lien Foreclosure

Guidance for dealing with the community’s vacant, abandoned, and deteriorated properties.

Land Banks

Emergency Housing in Rural Upstate New York
How Land Banks May Help Address the Crisis

Ways that land banks in rural communities can use their powers to help address homelessness and emergency housing needs.

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 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.

Land Banks

Transforming the Southland by Expanding Vacant Property Development
Recommendations for the South Suburban Land Bank and Development Authority

Recommendations for improving strategic development outcomes of the land bank’s inventory, specifically focusing on developing housing.

Code Enforcement System, Local Analysis

An Assessment of Code Enforcement Strategies in Lima, Ohio
Observations and Recommendations

How Lima can address its vacant and abandoned buildings and lots to improve community wellbeing.

Land Banks, Local Analysis

Creating Homeownership Opportunities in Newark through Housing Choice Vouchers
A Newark Land Bank Case Study

How the Newark Land Bank is using Housing Choice Vouchers to help people become homeowners.

Brownfields, Land Banks

Land Banks & Brownfield Redevelopment
A Step-by-Step Overview

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

Local Analysis

Addressing Vacant, Abandoned, and Deteriorated Properties in Arkansas
A Policy Brief

Arkansas communities face sizable challenges with vacant, abandoned, and deteriorated (VAD) properties—what many call “blighted” properties. These challenges encompass vacant commercial properties in the state’s rural main streets and urban downtowns, abandoned houses and overgrown lots in residential neighborhoods, and deteriorated structures scattered throughout rural and agricultural communities. Nearly 30…

Publications

Topic

Geography