A recent article from NJBiz discusses a conditional veto from Gov. Phil Murphy on legislation that would have required the Department of Community Affairs to create an online database and interactive map of residential propertiesREAD MORE
Center for Community Progress Study on Albuquerque’s Potential for Land Banking as Solution to Abandoned Properties
In January 2018 Albuquerque’s Vacant & Abandoned Houses Task Force issued their findings and recommendations to council. In April 2019, the City received a report from the Center for Community Progress who was retained byREAD MORE
Successful Utilization of a VPRO
A recent article in the Chicago Tribune featured the successes of Aurora’s (IL) Vacant and Foreclosed Property License program started in August 2016. Aurora’s utilization of the data includes inter-department collaboration. There are still moreREAD MORE
Kansas City MO “Codes Advocate”
A recent article in discusses the hiring of a “codes advocate” to be the go-between between the code department and residents in Kansas City, MO. The article has an intriguing quote, “The idea is itREAD MORE
Code Enforcement Liens: Carrot or Stick? Or both?
So I came across an interesting article, the headline, and in fact the article itself, was very matter of fact. The headline read “Code violators owe Estero more than $2M in fines. The Village CouncilREAD MORE
Pennsylvania Restore PA Initiative
In a recent article from WJAC, discussing the Governor’s new initiative, DCED Deputy Secretary of Community Affairs Rick Vilello has a very profound quote. “Vilello says blight often begins with small blemishes. First it startsREAD MORE
Doing the right thing…
I have been blessed many times in my life, and in many different aspects. One area I do not take for granted was the opportunity to witness first-hand how my late father-in-law, an Ernst &READ MORE
When “Three to Six Months” turns to “Next Day”!
“Summerville town officials say they have been aware of the home and are monitoring it. Town code enforcement staff still need to determine what bank owns the foreclosed home. Town spokesperson Mary Edwards said staff will not know whoREAD MORE
GOPC Report “Misconceptions About Vacant Property Registries” – an Analysis
In September of 2018 the Greater Ohio Policy Center issued a report “Misconceptions About Vacant Property Registries”. The report provides an overview of Vacant Property Registration Ordinances along with guidance for communities seeking to implement theREAD MORE
It Started Out So Well……….
An interesting article that discusses a logical and positive approach to addressing the universal concern of squatters, ends by discussing troubling legislation being proposed in the Hawaii Legislature. From the preamble in the legislation oneREAD MORE
Don’t Take on Unnecessary Risks
Perhaps I’m missing something but the recent enactment in Windber, PA of a rental registry struck me as odd. Rental registration ordinances are commonplace throughout the country. For the most part the programs and requiredREAD MORE
Canton OH Commercial Property Registration Challenges
A recent article discusses the challenges Canton is facing garnering compliance with their commercial property registration ordinance. Eerily similar to an earlier article regarding San Francisco. See following quotes. Canton – “However, several vacant buildingsREAD MORE