In a recent PA Times article for the American Society for Public Administration, titled “Enforcement versus Education: Two Hats – One Mission” Thomas E. Poulin, PhD, emphasizes that effective code enforcement requires wearing two hats:READ MORE
Blight Mitigation Revolving Funds
Two states have recently undertaken efforts to implement a “revolving fund” to spur property rehabilitation. Mississippi Approved by the Governor in April 2025, House Bill 733, created the “Property Cleanup Revolving Fund.” It authorizes theREAD MORE
Webinar: REACTIVE TO PROACTIVE: A Path to Equitable & Efficient Neighborhood Revitalization
MuniReg President Michael Halpern was privileged to co-present on a recent webinar titled “REACTIVE TO PROACTIVE: A Path to Equitable & Efficient Neighborhood Revitalization” Hosted by former Kansas City, MO Mayor Mark Funkhouser, Michael wasREAD MORE
Solar arrays as a blight solution
Detroit MI Mayor Mike Duggan announced a new initiative to address blight by installing solar arrays in 3 residential neighborhoods. Mayor’s Press Release includes an overview, the land acquisition process and home improvement community benefitsREAD 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
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
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
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
Combatting Blight Through Pre-Permitted Housing Plans
A recent feature in Strong Towns discusses how Kalamazoo is utilizing Pre-Permitted Housing Plans to address blight. Following an innovative expansion upon a neighboring community’s concept of pre-approved plans they embarked on a proof ofREAD MORE
Landlord Engagement Lab Toolkit
A collaboration between National League of Cities and the Stanford Legal Design Lab has created an updated Landlord Engagement Lab Toolkit. “This toolkit includes a series of resources developed for city leaders interested in buildingREAD MORE