We have previously provided studies (see below) demonstrating the connection between abandoned properties/blight and crime, specifically gun violence. Now a year after the most recent report, Philadelphia is implementing a pilot program that appears toREAD MORE
Uncooperative Judge – Share This Perspective
In a November 2022 blog post we discussed that though property owners have rights that must be protected, the rights of the neighbors to be protected from the negative consequences of vacant or blighted propertiesREAD MORE
Local Property Rights Play a Crucial Role
In a recent column, nationally recognized columnist, speaker and publisher John Newby (Building Main Street, not Wall Steet) focuses on the value of effective property regulation and enforcement, to mitigate blight and its effect onREAD MORE
Hidden landlords: renters’ woes soar as property owners hide their identities
When the headline says it all! A recent article from The Guardian discusses how LLCs are utilized to hide ownership information and the status of the “LLC Transparency Act” a bill proposing disclosure of all LLC owners,READ MORE
Tax Foreclosure Challenges
Over the course of one week, three articles from across the country outlined specific challenges in utilizing tax foreclosures to address blight in their respective communities. Akron, OH: Five years after Ohio’s first coordinated foreclosureREAD MORE
When a $7,000 Registration Fee isn’t Enough
A recent article discusses possible changes in Minneapolis to their VBR program and its fee. One primary change would be moving the annual $7,087 fee to a monthly fee. “…inspection citations would start at $250READ MORE
White House Initiative: Converting Commercial Properties to Residential Use
The White House has announced new actions to increase the supply of affordable housing through the support of converting high-vacancy commercial buildings to residential use. Actions include: Sparking Investment through New Federal Funding and RepurposingREAD MORE
CCP The Resident’s Workbook for Dealing with Vacant Buildings and Lots
The Center for Community Progress has released its “Resident’s Workbook for Dealing with Vacant Buildings and Lots”. The workbook offers tools and worksheets including; Ideas for how to get involved in community revitalization whether you’reREAD MORE
25 Year Fight to Remove Junked Vehicles
A recent article in Legal Intelligencer discusses a court ruling and its aftermath where one municipality has fought a decades long battle over operation of a junkyard in violation of its zoning ordinance. Attorneys BlaineREAD MORE
Collecting on Blight Fines – New Approach from North of the Border
Frustration (and more) with derelict property owners who rack up high penalties (as in this recent example of $131 MILLION DOLLARS) often results in several approaches. Some traditional (i.e. lawsuit) and some creative. Some comeREAD MORE
Creative Partnerships – Tool Bank USA
A recent article discussing the challenges facing Birmingham AL also focused on an upcoming creative partnership. “Soon under a new city partnership will give churches, neighborhoods and other organizations access tools to get the jobREAD MORE
“Mule Addresses” – Criminologists explain how vacant properties serve as depots for illegal online purchases
Once again, another reason not to publicize vacant property lists. Though the criminal element may just use properties listed for sale (which need to be publicized), these properties have better solutions to avoid the (newlyREAD MORE