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

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

Vacancy and Abandonment in the City of Indianapolis, Indiana
A Community Progress Technical Assistance Report

This report shares the findings of Community Progress’ 2016 technical assistance engagement with the City of Indianapolis, Indiana.

Local Analysis, Property Tax System

Catch or Release
An Analysis of Residential Tax-Foreclosure Conveyance in Flint, Michigan, between 2008 and 2015

This report examines and compares indicators related to tax-foreclosed residential properties in Flint, Michigan via the two existing systems: the Treasurer’s public auction and the land bank authority.

Local Analysis, Property Tax System

Detroit’s Property Tax Policies and Practices
An Opportunity for Reform

This brief calls attention to the importance of Detroit’s property tax policies and practices in the city’s overall revitalization efforts, and offers some recommended actions, and longer term considerations for improving this system.

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.

Local Analysis, Parcel Data & Neighborhood Markets

Gentrification and Neighborhood Decline in a Legacy City
Looking at Milwaukee, Wisconsin 2000-2012

Gentrification is the subject of extensive, often intense, discussion. This report focuses the conversation toward legacy cities, assessing potential gentrification alongside parallel neighborhood decline, using Milwaukee as an example.

Local Analysis, Parcel Data & Neighborhood Markets

Laying the Foundation for Strong Neighborhoods in Trenton, New Jersey
A Community Progress Technical Assistance Report

This report looks at conditions and trends in the City of Trenton and its neighborhoods, and explores the strategic options available to city government and other stakeholders to address the challenges the city is facing.

Local Analysis, Vacant Land Stewardship

Open Space in Detroit
Key Ownership and Funding Considerations to Inform a Comprehensive Open Space Planning Process

This study was commissioned by Detroit Future City Implementation Office to examine the viability of long-term open space options identified in the Detroit Future City Strategic Framework.

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, Local Analysis, Parcel Data & Neighborhood Markets

Beyond Blight
City of Flint Comprehensive Blight Elimination Framework

In 2015, in support of the City of Flint’s efforts, Community Progress provided critical input into the framing and development of the Comprehensive Blight Elimination Framework, which laid out clear, actionable priorities for effective waste removal, property boarding, demolition, mowing, vacant lot reuse, building rehabilitation, and code enforcement.

Land Banks, State & Local Analysis

30 for (20)30
Kalamazoo County Land Bank 2026–2030 Strategic Plan

Executive Summary Since 2010, the Kalamazoo County Land Bank Authority (KCLBA) has worked to address vacant, abandoned, deteriorated, and tax-foreclosed properties in the city of Kalamazoo and throughout the county. As vacancy challenges and market conditions have shifted over the last 15 years, the KCLBA has proven to be a…

Community Revitalization

Progress Points: The Cost of Systemic Vacancy
A Brief Primer

What is systemic vacancy and how is it different from just a couple of vacant properties? This onepager provides a brief explainer.

Community Revitalization, Land Banks, State & Local Analysis

Breaking Barriers for Under-Resourced Developers
Insights and Recommendations for Developers, Philanthropists, Land Banks, and Other Stakeholders

The challenges under-resourced affordable housing developments face and how key partners can support them.

Local Analysis, Parcel Data & Neighborhood Markets

West Jackson Property Condition and Resident Perception Survey Findings
Assessing the Cost of Vacant Properties

What we know about vacant properties in Mississippi’s West Jackson neighborhood.

Vacant Land Stewardship

Progress Points: Vacant Land Stewardship
A Brief Primer

Download a one-page explainer on what vacant land stewardship is, and why it’s important.

Land Banks, Local Analysis

Chesapeake Land Bank Authority Strategic Plan
Building on a Strong Foundation for the Next Stage of Growth

Community Progress worked with the Chesapeake Land Bank Authority to develop an ambitious strategic plan for the next five years.

Land Banks

2025 State of Land Banking Survey Snapshot
Key Takeaways

This one-pager of our 2025 State of Land Banking summarizes survey results.

Code Enforcement System, State & Local Analysis

Assessment of Code Enforcement Activities and Priorities to Consider in Jackson, Mississippi
Community Progress Code Enforcement TA Scholarship Memo

How the City of Jackson, Mississippi is using code enforcement strategies to address vacant and abandoned properties and revitalize neighborhoods.

Code Enforcement System

Code Enforcement Training Guide
A Strategic Curriculum for Local Practitioners Nationwide

A guide to training your code enforcement officers to help achieve your department’s ultimate goal: Compliance.

Code Enforcement System, Property Tax System

Louisville Metro Government Code Liens Analysis
Analysis and Recommendations

Analysis and strategy recommendations for using code lien foreclosure in service of neighborhood revitalization while minimizing unintended harm.

Publications

Topic

Geography