Publications

Local Analysis

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.

ARPA, COVID-19, Code Enforcement System, Land Banks, Local Analysis, Parcel Data & Neighborhood Markets, Property Tax System, State & Local Analysis, Vacant Land Stewardship

Tackling Vacancy and Abandonment
Strategies and Impacts after the Great Recession

Ten years on from the Great Recession, we take stock of lessons learned from that crisis and how they might be applied to future challenges. This edited volume, jointly produced by Community Progress and the Federal Reserve Banks of Atlanta and Cleveland, contains twelve articles by national experts in the field of neighborhood revitalization.

Land Banks, Local Analysis

Spokane, Washington
Preliminary Analysis of Land Banking and other tools to Address Vacant and Abandoned Properties and Create a Pipeline for Affordable Housing

Community Progress produced this report following a technical assistance engagement with Spokane, Washington to explore whether a land bank is the right tool to turn vacant property inventory into affordable housing.

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

A More Strategic Equitable Approach to Housing and Building Code Enforcement in Toledo, Ohio
A Community Progress Technical Assistance Report

Community Progress produced this report following a technical assistance engagement with Toledo, Ohio to assess the City’s approach to code enforcement.

Land Banks, Local Analysis, Parcel Data & Neighborhood Markets

BAM: In Partnership, In Action
A Flexible Action Plan for the Next Three Years

Community Progress provided technical support in the development of this action plan for the Blight Authority of Memphis, to help BAM play a meaningful role in the local fight against vacant, abandoned, and deteriorated properties.

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

An Assessment of Land Banking and other Tools to Transform VAD Properties into Affordable Housing in Prince George’s County, Maryland
A Community Progress Technical Assistance Report

Community Progress produced this report following a technical assistance engagement with Prince George’s County, Maryland to explore whether a land bank could be leveraged to support local affordable housing goals.

Code Enforcement System, Local Analysis

Turning the Tide
Opportunities for the City of Bay City, Michigan to Improve Residential Property Conditions and Quality of Life

Community Progress worked with Bay City, Michigan to assess its practices and policies for addressing VAD residential properties and identify economic stability risks due to the pandemic.

Code Enforcement System, Local Analysis

Building on Success
Opportunities to Enhance Home Preservation Efforts and Commercial Vacancy Strategies in Lansing, Michigan

Community Progress worked with the City of Lansing, Michigan to assess its practices for addressing vacant property and identify economic stability risks as a result of the global pandemic.

Local Analysis

Forward Toledo
An Exploratory Assessment to Inform Future Comprehensive Planning

The Toledo Exploratory Assessment presents an objective and evidenced-based analysis of Toledo’s potential, providing residents, businesses and community stakeholders the tools to boldly and confidently chart a course forward.

Code Enforcement System, Local Analysis, Property Tax System

Preliminary Assessment of Vacancy and Abandonment Challenges in Utica, NY
A Community Progress Technical Assistance Report

The City of Utica, New York engaged the Center for Community Progress to carry out a preliminary assessment of the City’s policies, programs, tools, and operations in place to address vacant, abandoned, and deteriorated properties.

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.

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.

Code Enforcement System, Local Analysis

Code Compliance in Providence, Rhode Island
Recommendations to Promote Equitable Code Compliance for Substandard Rental Properties

Community Progress assessed Providence’s code enforcement approach for deteriorating, occupied rental properties and recommended improvements.

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.

Local Analysis

Addressing Vacant, Abandoned, and Deteriorated Properties in Arkansas
A Policy Brief

This brief explains how vacant properties harm Arkansas, what communities are doing to address them, and recommend policy ideas for state/local governments.

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

Enhancing Capacity to Repurpose New Jersey’s Vacant Properties
How to Advance Community Goals Through Land Banking and Other Tools

Strategies for acquiring and repurposing vacant properties in New Jersey.

Land Banks, Local Analysis

Exploring the Utility and Value of Creating a Land Bank in Atlantic City
New Jersey Land Bank Launch Technical Assistance Scholarship

This memo is a product of the New Jersey Land Bank Launch Initiative. This memorandum summarizes key takeaways, observations, and recommendations for the U.S. HART CARES leadership team (US HART) and the City of Atlantic City (City) to consider as they explore implementation of a land bank to address vacant,…

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, Local Analysis

Land Banks in New Jersey 101
A Tool for Addressing Problem Properties to Serve Community Goals

This brief is a product of the New Jersey Land Bank Launch Initiative. Across the country, over 300 land banks are mitigating the harms of vacant, abandoned, and deteriorated (VAD) properties on neighbors and neighborhoods, and advancing equitable, inclusive, and resilient communities. Land banks have profound positive impact in the…