Assessment of VAD Strategies and a Land Bank in Salem, New Jersey

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, abandoned, and deteriorated (VAD) properties in Salem City and the region. 

Program Background 

Virtually all communities have some inventory of VAD properties. These properties pose significant health and safety risks for residents and neighborhoods and disproportionately harm Black and Brown communities. VAD properties can be privately owned, but some communities have large inventories of publicly owned underutilized properties. Across the country, land banks have proven to be a powerful tool to address VAD properties and advance equitable revitalization outcomes consistent with community goals. 

In July 2019, Senate Bill No. 1214, the “New Jersey Land Bank Law,” was signed into law. The New Jersey Land Bank Law permits New Jersey municipalities to form land banks by entering into an agreement with a nonprofit or public redevelopment entity to serve as the municipality’s land bank. However, the pandemic stalled efforts to capitalize on this new community development tool. The Center for Community Progress and our partner the Housing and Community Development Network of New Jersey (HCDNNJ) responded to renewed energy for addressing persistent housing challenges statewide and communities’ desires to explore the potential of land banks to advance equitable community development with the New Jersey Land Bank Launch initiative. 

The New Jersey Land Bank Launch initiative includes a scholarship program, announced in October 2023, for communities interested in exploring a land bank as a tool to address their VAD property inventories. In early 2024, we selected Salem City and two other communities to receive no-cost technical assistance to explore the utility and value of creating a local land bank. 

This memorandum shares key takeaways, observations, and recommendations relative to the City’s needs, challenges, and approach to addressing VAD properties and explores whether a land bank could add value and impact to this approach.