Erie County (NY) Clerk Michael P. Kearns, while in all likelihood not abandoning his “Bank Shame Campaign” announced a new program called the “Good Neighbor Project”. This new project is “designed to hold servicers ofREAD MORE
Eminent Domain for Vacant and Abandoned Properties
A recent article, discusses DE HB 458 that would have given Wilmington “extra powers to acquire vacant and abandoned properties through eminent domain” Debate among Wilmington City Council members did not result in a conclusiveREAD MORE
“Getting ahead of (and avoiding ) bad press” VLOG Series Volume 1: Episode 4
In our next installment of our Vlog series, Michael Halpern, president and founder of MuniReg LLC discusses an article in Municipal World on a recent public relations crisis in Los Angeles County LA. Though notREAD MORE
“CRA and Vacant Properties” VLOG Series Volume 1: Episode 3
In our next installment of our Vlog series, Michael Halpern, president and founder of MuniReg LLC elaborates on a recent article he authored for American City & County advocating for additional flexibility in the CRAREAD MORE
Changing the Built Environment to Combat Violent Crime
A recent “Message From (HUD) PD&R Senior Leadership” discusses the relationship between remediating vacant lots and crime. Specifically, “a growing body of research on Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design focuses on cleaning and greening vacant lotsREAD MORE
Closing the Loop – Rental Registries
Proposed legislation in New York State awaiting the Governor’s signature is designed to close an important loop. Albany is showing “that less than half of the properties involved in eviction proceedings have that permit onREAD MORE
Measuring Urban Blight
The newest edition of HUD’s Office of Policy Development and Research Journal discusses methodologies for measuring urban blight. “Across the United States, communities struggle with blighted urban environments and associated negative outcomes, including reduced propertyREAD MORE
“Bad Actors Registry”
The City of San Antonio TX is considering a new, proactive apartment inspection policy in an attempt to hold accountable negligent landlords who allow tenants to live in unsanitary, dangerous and otherwise illegal conditions. WhileREAD MORE
Proactive Messaging and Collaboration
One City Manager has proactively utilized local media to both educate his citizens on the issue of blight and how the city addresses it, but also issues a strong call for collaboration. For more information,READ MORE
No more warnings!
One Ohio community is now ceasing to send warnings or letters etc. “for anyone that has trash laying around their house or high grass”. Per the City Solicitor those warnings are not required. “There’s noREAD MORE
“Stop Catering to the Deadbeats”
In a recent “Revitalize or Die” blog posting, Jeff Siegler encourages local governments to implement the proper blight fighting tools and take the necessary actions to protect their respective communities. Siegler seeks to change theREAD MORE
The End of Tax Sale Preference?
A federal appeals court struck down a 2017 Maryland statute that “allowed for certain groups, including Prince George’s County residents, county or public school employees, federal employees and veterans, to bid on tax-delinquent properties atREAD MORE