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.

Parcel Data & Neighborhood Markets, Property Tax System, State/National Analysis

Long-Term Stress and Systemic Failure
Taking Seriously the Fiscal Crisis of America’s Older Cities

This report – written for America’s older cities in the wake of the recession, but with lessons for all cities that face fiscal stress – suggests a new approach to end the cycle of decline that has trapped many municipalities.

Land Banks

Land Banks and Land Banking (2011)
A Community Progress Research Report

As a follow-up to the 2005 seminal land bank text, the new Land Banks and Land Banking, authored by Frank S. Alexander, offers public officials and community leaders a step-by-step guide for taking control of problem properties and then leveraging them to spur smart development and meet community needs.

State/National Analysis

Restoring Properties, Rebuilding Communities
Transforming Vacant Properties in Today’s America

This report offers a systemic look at the problem and evaluates actions that can be taken by federal, state and local governments, as well as community organizations, private foundations and real estate developers to stem the tide of increasing vacancy rates and meet the challenges presented by already vacant properties.

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

Regenerating Youngstown and Mahoning County Through Vacant Property Reclamation
Reforming Systems and Rightsizing Markets

As part of the National Vacant Properties Campaign’s policy assessment report for the Youngstown-Mahoning County Vacant Properties Initiative, the study team compiled the results of its research and interviews into five program briefs, which offer a snapshot of the city and county’s vacant property programs and practices as of 2008.

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

Blueprint Buffalo Action Plan
Regional Strategies and Local Tools for Reclaiming Vacant Properties in the City and Suburbs of Buffalo

The Blueprint Buffalo Action Plan offers an overview of recommendations and models to emphasize that a comprehensive vacant properties initiative will require coordinated action by the city, surrounding communities, state and federal agencies, and neighborhood groups.

State/National Analysis

Vacant Properties
The True Costs to Communities

Compiling research from communities across the country, this report examines the overall impacts vacant and abandoned properties have on communities.

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

Cleveland at the Crossroads
Turning Abandonment into Opportunity

This report is a strategic assessment of the systems in place for returning the city of Cleveland’s vacant, abandoned, and blighted properties to productive use. It explains the critical challenges and provides potential strategies for improving Cleveland’s ability to address vacant and abandoned property, while highlighting programs and strategies from other U.S. cities that may be models for Cleveland’s future efforts.

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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

Brownfield properties, often referred to as “brownfields,” are properties where the presence or potential presence of a hazardous chemical or pollutant makes it challenging, risky, and costly to redevelop. While many people think of brownfields as large, abandoned factories or chemical processing plants, the true scope of brownfield properties is…

Land Banks

Land Banks in New Jersey
A Tool for Addressing Problem Properties to Serve Community Goals

Across the country, over 300 land banks are mitigating the harms of vacant, abandoned, and deteriorated (VAD) properties on neighbors and neighborhoods, and advancing equitable, inclusive, and resilient communities. Land banks have profound positive impact in the communities they serve including stabilizing neighborhoods and property values of neighboring homes, addressing…

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.

Code Enforcement System, Property Tax System, Racial Equity

Progress Points: Heirs’ Property
How Tangled Title Can Lead to Property Vacancy, Abandonment, and Deterioration

This factsheet explains why it’s important to deal with heirs’ property in order to prevent future vacancy and abandonment.

Land Banks, Local Analysis

Preliminary Assessment of Vacant Properties in Lockport, NY
Strategies for Coordinating with the Niagara Orleans Regional Land Improvement Corporation

Recommendations for the City of Lockport to better address vacant, abandoned, and deteriorated properties.

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.

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.

Publications

Topic

Geography