Publications

Land Banks

Land Banks, Local Analysis

Strengthening the Houston Land Bank
New Legislative Authority to Support Expanded Neighborhood Priorities and Resiliency in Houston

This report shares the findings of Community Progress’ 2017 technical assistance engagement with the Houston Land Bank to support the development of legislation and policy tools that would allow the land bank to ore flexibly address the local needs for land, particularly post-Hurricane Harvey.

Land Banks, Local Analysis, Parcel Data & Neighborhood Markets

Land Banking in Albuquerque
Feasibility, Efficacy, and Relationship to Existing Tools for Vacant, Abandoned, and Substandard Properties

This report shares the findings of Community Progress’ 2018 technical assistance engagement with Albuquerque, New Mexico to evaluate the feasibility of land banking as a tool to address vacant, abandoned, and substandard properties in Albuquerque.

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

Preliminary Assessment of Vacancy and Abandonment Challenges in Ogdensburg, New York
Observations and Recommendations

This report shares the findings of Community Progress’ 2018 technical assistance engagement with Ogdensburg, New York to support the development of a more effective, efficient, and equitable approach to problem properties.

Land Banks

Houston Land Banks and Community Land Trusts
A Primer for the Houston Land Bank

As the City of Houston recovers from Hurricane Harvey, local leaders are considering how tools like land banks and community land trusts can work together to transform vacant and damaged properties into affordable housing opportunities for generations to come.

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

Neighborhood Stabilization in Waterbury, Connecticut
Recommendations to Build a More Proactive and Comprehensive Approach to Vacancy and Abandonment

This report shares the findings of Community Progress’ 2017 technical assistance engagement with Waterbury, Connecticut to assess existing systems, policies, and tools used to address vacant and abandoned properties.

Land Banks, Local Analysis

Piloting New Partnership Opportunities Between a Land Bank and a Community Land Trust in Albany, New York
A Community Progress Technical Assistance Report

This report shares the findings of Community Progress’ 2017 technical assistance engagement with the Albany County Land Bank and Albany Community Land Trust to help these entities pilot a more effective, sustainable partnership.

Code Enforcement System, Land Banks, Property Tax System, State/National Analysis

Aligning the Tools: Addressing Vacant, Abandoned, and Deteriorated Properties in Tennessee
A Community Progress Technical Assistance Report

This report shares the findings of Community Progress’ 2017 technical assistance engagement with Memphis, Tennessee to coordinate three key legal tools to address vacancy and abandonment.

Land Banks, State/National Analysis

New York State Land Banks
A New National Standard

This report offers a history of the land bank movement in New York, including an assessment of the work completed to date, the factors key to success, and what to expect of this maturing movement in the years to come.

Code Enforcement System, Land Banks, Local Analysis, Property Tax System

Developing a Shared Vision and Strategies to Address Vacancy and Abandonment in the City of St. Louis
A Community Progress Technical Assistance Report

This report shares the findings from our technical assistance engagement with the City of St. Louis, Missouri.

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.

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

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, 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

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, State/National 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, 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

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, State/National Analysis

Resource Guide for Georgia Land Banks
An A-to-Z Toolkit of Sample Documents

The 2022 Resource Guide for Georgia Land Banks is designed to provide new and updated documents for land bank leaders as their operations mature and become more complex. The 2013 manual templates and example documents have proven to be essential tools for community leaders seeking to create land banks under…

Land Banks, Property Tax System, State/National Analysis

The Scale and Cost of Blight in Michigan
A One-Page Brief

This one-page explainer provides an overview of what it would cost to tackle all of Michigan’s vacant, abandoned, and deteriorated properties.

Land Banks, Local Analysis

Progress Points: Michigan Land Banks
A Brief Primer

This one-page explainer provides an overview of land banks and their impact in Michigan.