On August 6th, the New York State Senate Committee on Investigations & Government Operations issued a report titled, Investigative Report on Code Enforcement in New York State. Per the press release from Senator James Skoufis, ChairREAD MORE
Journal of Behavioral Medicine “Urban building demolitions, firearm violence and drug crime”
In February, we reported on a LSU Department of Sociology study showing a statistical connection between homicide, blighted buildings and convenience stores in Baton Rouge, LA. In a recent article, Newsweek discusses a study inREAD MORE
Missouri Senate Bill 203 Nuisance Actions in Certain Cities and Counties
Missouri Senate Bill 203 was signed on July 9th by Missouri Governor Michael Parson. In a news release from Thompson Coburn LLP the various benefits of this new legislation is discussed. Senate Bill 203 makes significant changesREAD MORE
The Franklin Regional Council of Governments (MA): Vacant and Abandoned Buildings: Toolkit for Town Officials
In May 2018 the Franklin Regional Council of Governments (MA) issued a report titled “Vacant and Abandoned Buildings: Toolkit for Town Officials” Per the report, the objective is to provide “Guidance for towns on formingREAD MORE
Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) – “Vacant Property Strategies”
In December 2018 Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) issued a report titled “Vacant Property Strategies” Per the LISC website “The community development industry has long prioritized addressing “vacants” as part of neighborhood revitalization strategies. AsREAD MORE
Nuisance Property Ordinance Guides
Enterprise Community Partners 2001 Guide , “Solving Chronic Nuisance Problems: A Guide for Neighborhood Leaders”. To access, please click here Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) “Tip Sheet” for nuisance properties ordinance. To access, please clickREAD MORE
City of Bedford OH Ceases Enforcement of Nuisance Ordinance
In February we reported on the various challenges to nuisance property legislation across the country. In a recent development, the city of Bedford, OH agreed to stop enforcing their nuisance ordinance as a result ofREAD MORE
IAAI Abandoned Building Toolbox
The International Association of Arson Investigators has available on their website an Abandoned Building Toolbox. The IAAI/USFA Abandoned Building “Tool Box” provides: A detailed background paper that outlines the problems that vacant and abandoned buildingREAD MORE
National Guard “Clean and Seal” Program
The National Guard has an innovative program call “Clean and Seal” providing temporary relief for communities struggling with abandoned properties. The guardsmen donate their time, effort, and tools through the Nation Guard’s Counterdrug Joint Task Force.READ MORE
Supreme Court strikes blow against states that raise revenue by hefty fines, forfeitures
A February 2019 article in USA Today discusses a US Supreme Court unanimous ruling stating, that states cannot impose excessive fees, fines and forfeitures as criminal penalties. “The decision, which united the court’s conservatives and liberals, makesREAD MORE
New York State “Zombies 2.0” – Attorney General James Announces Funds To Combat Zombie Homes And Revitalize Neighborhoods
On July 10th, New York State Attorney General Letitia James announced the recipients of $9 million in grants to address the growing statewide issue of “zombie homes” – vacant or abandoned homes that are not maintained duringREAD MORE
Abandoned Properties and Blight due to……Pyrrhotite?
As far back as 2016, the State of Connecticut identified a significant issue with deficient concrete resulting in crumbling basements and foundations. The crisis prompted the state to create an official web page dedicated toREAD MORE