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.

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 & Local 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 & Local 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.

Code Enforcement System

Cleveland Code Enforcement Training Guide
A Strategic Curriculum for Local Practitioners

A curriculum for training code enforcement officers, focused on compliance without unintended harm.

Land Banks, State & Local Analysis

Recommendations for the Wayne County Land Bank
Regarding Approach to Acquisition and Disposition of Nontraditional Properties

The memo outlines 12 recommendations for the WCLB to improve disposition of challenging properties, strengthen partnerships, and align operations with broader goals for housing, sustainability, and economic development.

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.

Publications

Topic

Geography