The Jackson MS (recent recipient of 1 of 8 $100,000 “Love your Block” grant) Director of Planning and Development seeks to establish a “neighborhood academy”. The purpose of the academy would be “to provide homeownerREAD MORE
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
Public Safety Strategies for Addressing Mortgage Fraud and the Foreclosure Crisis
In 2010 a report was released from the Center for Court Innovation supported by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, a component of the U.S. Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs, titled “Public Safety StrategiesREAD MORE
Comcate Webinar “How to Combat Vacant Property Blight with VPROs”
MuniReg President Michael Halpern was privileged to conduct a webinar titled “How to Combat Vacant Property Blight with VPROs”. In this webinar, Halpern provided an overview of the evolution of “Vacant Property Registration” ordinances, howREAD MORE
City of Springfield Illinois Receives Analysis to Address Blight
City of Springfield Illinois recently utilized Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative Fellow Megan Willis-Jackson to provide an analysis of the city provide recommendations to address vacant and dilapidated housing, including recommended changes to; • InspectionREAD MORE
Continuing Educational Resources
Continuing Educational Resources Often state-specific presentation, though directed to a specific audience, provide additional insight and solutions into what are common concerns or issues. West Virginia University “BAD (Brownfield, Abandoned, Dilapidated) Buildings Program” is continuingREAD MORE
Still on the Hamster Wheel…
Back in 2019, we blogged about the issue of antiquated policies that centered around required notifications being sent to known abandoned properties or even to a deceased individual. Independent of the waste of time andREAD 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