Insights & Analysis
Expert commentary and in-depth perspectives on the trends and forces shaping property registration and municipal programs.
Legislative Spotlight
Timely updates and analysis on new laws, ordinances, and regulatory changes impacting communities nationwide.
Creativity
Innovative approaches and fresh ideas that municipalities and partners are using to strengthen neighborhoods and improve outcomes.
Judicial Spotlight
Key court decisions and legal rulings that influence property registration, municipal authority, and community well-being.
Studies
Research, case studies, and data-driven findings that provide evidence-based insights for more effective policy and practice.
Challenges Ahead
Emerging risks, obstacles, and areas of concern that municipalities should anticipate and prepare for.
Model Ordinance on Proactive Rental Inspection
In 2014, ChangeLab Solutions released a “Model Ordinance on Proactive Rental Inspection”. On Sept 18th, 2023 a new version was...
“How Rochester (NY) plans to fix problem housing”
In June 2022, the city’s Housing Quality Task Force released a report including its list of final recommendations. A recent...
Macro and Micro Strategies to Fight Blight
Recently two large cities announced new strategies to address blight, one creating a city-wide collaborative while the other focuses on...
Raising Property Values to Combat Vacancies
Several communities have implemented a “vacant property tax”. In what appears to be a similar objective, Bernalillo County (NM) Assessor...
H.B. 859 Denying Permits to LLCs
A well intentioned bill may have some loopholes. Hopefully they will be addressed properly prior to enactment. Definitely a step...
Blight Penalties – What is the magic number?
The challenge regarding what is the appropriate amount of penalties is a difficult one. “Lower” penalties may not provide the...
CDBG Coalition Report “Improving Lives and Strengthening Communities”
In April 2022, the CDBG Coalition released a report titled, “Improving Lives and Strengthening Communities” “This report serves to inform...
New Jersey Moves to Establish Database of Available Commercial Real Estate Properties
Update 11/20/2023 A-4750 has been conditionally vetoed by Governor Murphy and returned to the Assembly with suggested amendments. To view...
Local Matters Podcast “Have You Ever Called Code Enforcement?”
Local Matters Podcast hosted by Janice Allen Jackson recently featured Matthew Silver, Civica Law and 2nd Vice President California Association...
Citizens Research Council of Michigan Blight Resources
In February we posted on a Citizens Research Council of Michigan (not-for-profit public affairs research organization, founded in 1916) report...
Can Drones Legally be Used for Zoning Ordinance Violations
The Michigan Supreme Court will hear a dispute over the legality of using a drone to take pictures of a...
In-fill Housing – Getting Creative
A recent article discusses one community’s initiatives to “injecting new life into narrow, vacant lots brought about by blighted-structures removal”....
Alaska SB 77 – What is Blight?
In a recent Op-Ed for the Anchorage Daily News, Sam Spiegelman, attorney at Pacific Legal Foundation provides an update on...
Vacant Property Surveys – Why it’s shouldn’t be the only answer
At the risk of stating the obvious, data is extremely valuable. However as we all know some data is more...
So which one is it?
A recent article in the Atlanta Journal Constitution discusses the intent of the City to broadcast on the city’s public TV channel...