Newly proposed legislation would require vacant property owners to file contact information with the county auditor’s office. For more information, please click here.
Nuisance Ordinances – More Trouble than its Worth?
For one particular community that may be the case. Richmond KY may soon repeal a 2019 chronic nuisance property ordinance that imposes a civil fine on hotels and motels that are found to be aREAD MORE
Financial Support to Address Blight from New and Interesting Sources
We have previously provided numerous innovative and creative approaches and partnerships to addressing blight in local communities. In a recent feature, East Orange NJ was highlighted as the latest recipient of launch the ”#DrivingForChange program”,READ MORE
Free Demolitions? Think Outside the Box
Demolitions, such a critical component of a blight mitigation strategy, often come with a hefty price tag. Creative approaches are often necessary. Previously we have discussed communities that have utilized the National Guard for theirREAD MORE
SB 60 signed by Florida Governor
SB 60 addressing the issue of anonymous code enforcement complaints has been signed by Governor DeSantis in Florida on June 29, 2021. Following is a summary of the bill by the Florida Senate Community AffairsREAD MORE
Two Sides of the Coin – Strict Permit Enforcement vs the “Local Rehabber”
A recent article discusses Michigan City’s (Indiana) challenge in permit requirement enforcement. “A crackdown on building permits could end up backfiring, the City Council was told” For more the full report from nwitimes.com, please clickREAD MORE
Rental Inspection Program Legal Challenge – Orange City IA
A lawsuit over whether municipalities have the authority to inspect rental homes without criminal cause is being waged in Orange City. Three residents and two landlords in the town of about 6,200 are suing theREAD MORE
GAO COVID-19 Housing Protections
In its most recent report on housing, the GAO analysis of the National Mortgage Database showed mortgage forbearance and other Federal efforts have reduced default and foreclosure risks. For more information, please click here. WhyREAD MORE
Money Well Spent – Land Banks
A recent study by Youngstown State University Williamson College of Business demonstrates a solid ROI. $21 million utilized to demolish abandoned homes, rehabilitate others and spruce up abandoned lots across Mahoning County (Ohio) returned $33.2READ MORE
Engage PGH – Pittsburgh’s Department of Permits, Licensing, and Inspection Interactive Website
The City of Pittsburgh’s Department of Permits, Licensing, and Inspection (PLI) wants community feedback about condemned properties. The department’s new interactive website provides information about structures and space to comment about their safety. The city’s own scoringREAD MORE
Appellate Court Rules Keep Chicago Renting Ordinance is Preempted
On April 30, 2021, the First District Appellate Court struck down Chicago’s Protecting Tenants in Foreclosed Rental Properties Ordinance, better known as the Keep Chicago Renting Ordinance (“KCRO”) finding it is completely preempted by Illinois’READ MORE
Stipends for Property Maintenance
Instead of relying on lawn maintenance companies, the Genesee County Land Bank are hiring community block-clubs, schools, churches, neighborhood associations, and local non-profits to clean and maintain their own neighborhoods “We have actually 10 newREAD MORE