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

2025 State of Land Banking Survey Snapshot
Key Takeaways

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

Cover page of the Rochester Land Bank Corporation Strategic Plan

Land Banks, Local Analysis

Rochester Land Bank Five-Year Strategic Plan
2026–2030

The Rochester Land Bank’s new strategic plan reimagines its role in revitalizing vacant properties, expanding homeownership, and strengthening neighborhoods.

cover image of recommendations to wayne county report

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.

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.

Land Banks, Local Analysis

Assessment of VAD Strategies and a Land Bank in Salem, New Jersey
New Jersey Land Bank Launch Technical Assistance Scholarship

This brief is a product of the New Jersey Land Bank Launch Initiative. This memorandum summarizes key takeaways, observations, and recommendations for the City of Salem (City) and its partner, the Cumberland County Improvement Authority (The Authority) to consider as they explore implementation of a land bank to address vacant,…

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.

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, Vacant Land Stewardship

Greening and Community Safety
Vacant Land Stewardship Research Series

This fact sheet summarizes key takeaways from recent studies exploring the community safety benefits associated with five common greening strategies.

Land Banks, State & Local Analysis

A Decade of Progress
Celebrating 10 Years of Land Banks in New York

This report, prepared for the New York Land Bank Association (NYLBA), documents and celebrates the remarkable rise and achievements of New York land banks.

Land Banks, Local Analysis

Tri-COG Land Bank Strategic Plan 2023-27
Transforming Vacant Properties in Pennsylvania

Strategic plan prepared for the Tri-COG Land Bank (TCLB) by the Community Progress to assist TCLB in preparing a for its future achieving greater impact creating more equitable communities.

Land Banks, Local Analysis, Property Tax System

Transforming Raton’s Abandoned Properties into Community Assets
A Community Progress Report for Raton, New Mexico

This report outlines state and local policy and practice recommendations to tackle vacant and abandoned properties in Raton, NM.

Land Banks, Local Analysis

Establishing a Land Bank in South Bend & St. Joseph County
A Decision-Making Roadmap

The City of South Bend, Indiana engaged Community Progress to assess the feasibility of a land bank and provide a road map of critical decision points. This report identifies what keeps vacant lots and buildings stuck in a cycle of decline, and how a land bank might help.

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

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.

Publications

Topic

Geography