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.

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Cover of brief titled 'Addressing Vacancy and Brownfield Properties in Louisiana,' featuring a map of Louisiana parishes shaded by vacancy rate with dots marking registered brownfield properties.

Brownfields, Land Banks

Addressing Vacancy and Brownfield Properties in Louisiana
Policy Brief

What to know about the Louisiana State Land Bank Authority Act and how land banks can help address contaminated properties in the state.

Cover of the Kalamazoo County Land Bank's 30 for 2030 Strategic Plan for 2026–2030, subtitled Creating a Vibrant Kalamazoo County for All, featuring a twilight photo of a downtown waterway with city buildings and a construction crane reflected in the water.

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…

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.

Cover of the report "Breaking Barriers for Under-Resourced Developers: Insights and Recommendations for Developers, Philanthropists, Land Banks, and Other Stakeholders" published by the Center for Community Progress in March 2026.

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.

Cover image of the report "West Jackson Property Condition and Resident Perception Survey Findings"

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.

Report cover of the Chesapeake Land Bank Authority Strategic Plan by Community Progress.

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.

Cover image of the "2025 State of Land Banking Survey Snapshot" by Community Progress.

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 of the report " Assessment of Code Enforcement Activities and Priorities to Consider in Jackson, Mississippi" by Center for Community Progress

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.

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.

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

Taking a Strategic and Data-Driven Approach to Addressing Problem Properties in Trenton, New Jersey
A Community Progress Technical Assistance Report

This report shares the findings from our technical assistance engagement with the City of Trenton, New Jersey.

Local Analysis, Parcel Data & Neighborhood Markets

Vacancy and Blight Action Plan for the City of Dallas, Texas
A Community Progress Technical Assistance Report

This report shares the findings from our technical assistance engagement with the City of Dallas, Texas.

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.

Publications

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Geography

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Geography