In its most recent report on housing, the GAO analysis of the National Mortgage Database showed mortgage forbearance and other Federal efforts have reduced default and foreclosure risks. For more information, please click here. WhyREAD MORE
Money Well Spent – Land Banks
A recent study by Youngstown State University Williamson College of Business demonstrates a solid ROI. $21 million utilized to demolish abandoned homes, rehabilitate others and spruce up abandoned lots across Mahoning County (Ohio) returned $33.2READ MORE
Engage PGH – Pittsburgh’s Department of Permits, Licensing, and Inspection Interactive Website
The City of Pittsburgh’s Department of Permits, Licensing, and Inspection (PLI) wants community feedback about condemned properties. The department’s new interactive website provides information about structures and space to comment about their safety. The city’s own scoringREAD MORE
SACA “Using Vacant Property Registration Ordinances”
The Standards and Codes Academy hosted an webinar with MuniReg President Michael Halpern presenting on the topic of vacant property registries. In addition to the overall discussion of what is a “VPRO” and what itREAD MORE
Appellate Court Rules Keep Chicago Renting Ordinance is Preempted
On April 30, 2021, the First District Appellate Court struck down Chicago’s Protecting Tenants in Foreclosed Rental Properties Ordinance, better known as the Keep Chicago Renting Ordinance (“KCRO”) finding it is completely preempted by Illinois’READ MORE
The Power to Stabilize Neighborhoods
In a new study, Karen Black with May 8 Consulting Research “summarizes the existing research about the effectiveness of certain policy interventions to help stabilize low- and moderate-income neighborhoods after a macroeconomic shock. This documentREAD MORE
Stipends for Property Maintenance
Instead of relying on lawn maintenance companies, the Genesee County Land Bank are hiring community block-clubs, schools, churches, neighborhood associations, and local non-profits to clean and maintain their own neighborhoods “We have actually 10 newREAD MORE
American City and County; Housing and Property Conditions Can Affect Neighborhood Stability
American City and County published an article written by Michael Halpern on the impact vacant properties have on a neighborhood’s stability. Taking data collected on HUD’s metrics, reported by the US Government Accountability Office (GAO),READ MORE
Pennsylvania HB 264 Passes House
This legislation would amend the Real Estate Tax Sale Law in regard to registration requirements in order to bid at a tax sale. Name, address and telephone number will be required of every applicant, includingREAD MORE
Connecticut H.B. No. 6593 – Short Sighted Legislation
A legal challenge in Washington State a few years ago caused banks to halt maintenance activity to the consternation of local governments. Eventually it was addressed by collaborative legislation. Now Connecticut has introduced legislation seekingREAD MORE
Federal Judge Vacates Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Eviction Moratorium
A federal judge has vacated the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention moratorium to prevent tenants from losing their homes for not paying their rent due to the economic and health ramifications of the coronavirusREAD MORE
GAO Report Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Fraud Risks
In response to a historic string of natural disasters, Congress appropriated approximately $39.5 billion in CDBG-DR grant funds in 2017 through 2019. GAO was asked to review a range of disaster recovery issues following theREAD MORE