In late April, HB 1017 referred to as the Georgia Squatter Reform Act was signed by Governor Kemp. Per the Bill’s sponsor, “the legislation would fix antiquated laws protecting squatters. Without the bill, it isREAD MORE
Creativity from Down Under
A recent release from Australia’s Dept. of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety, announces a new $5 million “Vacant Property Rental Incentive Scheme” designed to to convert vacant properties into long-term rental homes. This newREAD MORE
Movement in Baltimore
With the passing of HB 2, Baltimore officials are hopeful they have another strong tool in their toolbox. As a community that has long struggled with vacancy and blight, I am hopeful too. However, IREAD MORE
Neighborhood Revitalization and Land Banking Act
U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) introduced the Neighborhood Revitalization and Land Banking Act to help public land banks acquire blighted properties. The Neighborhood Revitalization and Land Banking Act would: SupportREAD MORE
North Carolina Supreme Court Case Challenging Blight Mitigation Efforts
A recent report from WRAL discusses a North Carolina Supreme Court case about “whether racism has influenced Kinston leaders’ foreclosure efforts could have implications for the power of local governments across the state.” So farREAD MORE
Community Highlight: Las Cruces, NM Common Sense Approach to Sharing Vacant Property Information
MuniReg has never been a proponent of “advertising vacancy“. For severely dilapidated properties, that are clearly abandoned, posting for example a “Red X” doesn’t bring unwarranted attention. Other approaches, such as placards on the doorREAD MORE
Local Pennsylvania Media Op-Eds Focus on Blight
Two recent op-eds in local newspapers address the issue of blight though coming from differing angles. The Times News piece, uses a problem property for the past 30 years as an impetus to call forREAD MORE
Community Highlight: Aroostook County ME Assists Local Governments with Demolition Costs
A headline like this “Aroostook County landfill cuts towns a break on blighted buildings” shouldn’t be newsworthy, as collaboration between all levels of government should be the norm. However as it appears to not beREAD MORE
Community Highlight: Memphis TN Neighborhood Preservation Clinic
Previously reported in November 2022, The University of Memphis School of Law’s Neighborhood Preservation Clinic represents the City of Memphis in public nuisance lawsuits seeking recourse against the owners of badly neglected, vacant and abandonedREAD MORE
Community Highlight: Toledo OH Neighborhood Associations Website/Map
In a full length feature, WTVG discussed various efforts underway in Toledo to address blight. Community engagement is a critical component of any successful strategy. What we hope to be an ongoing feature highlighting uniqueREAD MORE
Colorado Lawmakers Target HOAs
Originally reported on in May 2022, Colorado homeowners were experiencing what was reported as “predatory” behavior, such as aggressive code violation enforcement and penalties, along with foreclosure. Now in a feature from the Denver Post:READ MORE
CCP Reevaluating Code Enforcement: A New Approach to Addressing Problem Properties
The Center for Community Progress has released a new report titles “Reevaluating Code Enforcement: A New Approach to Addressing Problem Properties” advocating for shifting from traditional code enforcement to the more strategic approach of code compliance. Per the Center’sREAD MORE