Insights & Analysis
Expert commentary and in-depth perspectives on the trends and forces shaping property registration and municipal programs.
Legislative Spotlight
Timely updates and analysis on new laws, ordinances, and regulatory changes impacting communities nationwide.
Creativity
Innovative approaches and fresh ideas that municipalities and partners are using to strengthen neighborhoods and improve outcomes.
Judicial Spotlight
Key court decisions and legal rulings that influence property registration, municipal authority, and community well-being.
Studies
Research, case studies, and data-driven findings that provide evidence-based insights for more effective policy and practice.
Challenges Ahead
Emerging risks, obstacles, and areas of concern that municipalities should anticipate and prepare for.
New Publications on Code Enforcement
Two new books were recently published on the topic of “code enforcement” Effective Code Enforcement Justin Edson (Bio) “A must...
Center for Community Progress Code Enforcement Training Guide
Designed for communities building a new code enforcement training program or strengthening an existing one, the Center for Community Progress...
Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy “Local Vacancy Taxes: A Tool but Not a Panacea”
The Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP) has released a new blog posting explaining that vacancy and blight taxes...
A Perfect Storm of Rising Costs Threatens America’s Housing Market
Urban Institute’s new report “A Perfect Storm of Rising Costs Threatens America’s Housing Market” highlights how surging insurance premiums, property...
Wearing Two Hats
In a recent PA Times article for the American Society for Public Administration, titled “Enforcement versus Education: Two Hats –...
Municipal Research and Services Center (MRSC) “Why Cities and Towns Should Consider Developing Rental Housing Registries”
A recent MRSC article explains that rental registries give Washington cities a way to track rental housing, ensure compliance, and...
“More Carrot Than Stick”
A new ordinance in Anchorage AK is described as “more carrot than stick”. The ordinance grants a 10‑year property tax...
Illinois House Bill 1842 Muni-code Admin Adjudication
Illinois House Bill 1842 was recently signed into law. According to the sponsor’s press release: “This legislation ensures local governments...
“Following the Fire: Analysis of 2024 Vacant Structure Fires”
The City of Syracuse’s latest audit, “Following the Fire: Analysis of 2024 Vacant Structure Fires,” (link) sheds important light on...
Revitalizing Empty Structures Into Desirable Environments (RESIDE) Act
Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) introduced the Revitalizing Empty Structures Into Desirable Environments (RESIDE) Act with Senator Mark Warner (D-Va.). This...
“A” for Creativity! Raffle to win a city home!
In a bold move to tackle urban decay, Watertown, NY, is exploring a novel approach to combat blight: raffling off...
Leveraging code enforcement units to reduce crime: A difference-in-difference analysis of a targeted crime prevention intervention
In the face of rising crime and ongoing police staffing shortages, a new study published in the Journal of Criminal...
Blight Mitigation Revolving Funds
Two states have recently undertaken efforts to implement a “revolving fund” to spur property rehabilitation. Mississippi Approved by the Governor...
Code enforcement still in focus!
In a recent op-ed (link), Walter Williams, EDFP City of Racine City Development, Director and President Racine- NAACP, argues that...
National Housing Crisis Task Force
In July 2024, the Nowak Metro Finance Lab at Drexel University and Accelerator for America launched the National Housing Crisis...