Vacant Land Keys to Success: Dedicated Capacity

Author(s): Center for Community Progress, Michigan Youth Violence Prevention Center at the University of Michigan School of Public Health

Despite the growing inventory of vacant lots across the country, organizations responsible for vacant land stewardship consistently report being understaffed to effectively address the issue. Dedicated staff capacity is key to contributing to organization success in maintaining and greening vacant lots. It ensures that there is a response equal to the problem, increases technical expertise, promotes consistent service delivery, and strengthens local knowledge and commitment to the mission.

“Keys to Success: Dedicated Capacity,” is a component of our overall “Keys to Success: Lessons from the Field” guide to greening best practices as a method of reducing youth violence and injury. Keys to Success reports on findings from a six-year research project between the Michigan Youth Violence Prevention Center and the Center for Community Progress to identify the practices that help greening organizations (i.e. community organizations, nonprofits, land banks) meet the rising demand for vacant lot care across the country. This publication is a companion to the “America’s Vacant Lot Landscape: Insights from the National Survey on Greening.”