Land Banks

Land banks are public entities with unique governmental powers, created pursuant to state-enabling legislation, that are solely focused on converting problem properties into productive use according to local community goals.

Land banks aim to create a more effective, efficient, and equitable system to deal with problem properties. They stabilize the supply of available properties through strategic acquisition, land assembly and management, and streamlined property disposition.

Land banks commonly have special powers, including the ability to hold land tax-free, clear title, negotiate sales, convey property for other-than-monetary consideration, and lease for interim uses, to name a few. A land bank’s effectiveness depends in part on an accurate assessment of the market and causes of problem properties as well as the barriers preventing a property from returning to productive use.

In the last decade, hundreds of land banks have been created, help unlock the hidden value of vacant and problem properties by returning them to productive use as assets in community revitalization.

As the foremost national resources for land banks, Community Progress’ is proud to lead the National Land Bank Network (NLBN), which unites land bank leaders to share knowledge, network, and leverage their strengths to better inform policy change, strengthen land banking as a tool, and build a national community of practice. We’ve developed this online land bank resource center to inform you, inspire you, and guide you.