In the face of rising crime and ongoing police staffing shortages, a new study published in the Journal of Criminal Justice highlights the potential of code enforcement as a cost-effective crime prevention tool. Authored byREAD 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
Code enforcement still in focus!
In a recent op-ed (link), Walter Williams, EDFP City of Racine City Development, Director and President Racine- NAACP, argues that building and property code enforcement is a powerful, yet overlooked, tool in combating inner‑city crimeREAD MORE
PA H.B. 103 Abandoned Boats
Often overlooked, abandoned boats are visible blight and potential safety hazards. Pennsylvania State Rep. Anita Kulik, chair of the House Game and Fisheries Committee, introduced H.B. 103 “providing for at-risk, derelict and abandoned boats; andREAD MORE
How Housing Code Enforcement Shapes Stability and Access to Safe Homes
A new report by Housing Action Illinois and the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Code Enforcement as a Tool for Safe, Equitable & Affordable Housing, explores the impact of local housing code enforcement on health,READ MORE
Illinois Blight Mitigation Act
The proposed “Blight Mitigation Act (HB0006) was most recently referred to the House Rules Committee (January 9th). The synopsis of the bill states: Creates the Blight Mitigation Act. Provides that a property owner that livesREAD MORE
Rental Registry – One Step Back Two Steps Forward
Two recent developments in Syracuse NY center around its rental registration program. First, on January 23rd syracuse.com reported that per the City’s Auditor, its “rental registry’s weak compliance is worse than believed”. Per City Auditor 25% ofREAD MORE
Civil Nuisance Law – Private Nuisance Lawsuits
One Georgia municipality is working to develop “a civil nuisance law that would allow private citizens to file nuisance complaints in Municipal Court.” The stated intent is to assist in scenarios where a violation exists thatREAD MORE
Rental Registries – Opposite Agendas at the Statehouse
Two states are seeing contrasting efforts pertaining to rental property registries. In Kentucky, House Bill 173, introduced by Rep. Ryan Dotson, R-Winchester, would prohibit any local government in Kentucky from adopting or enforcing “policy thatREAD MORE
When Mortgages Aren’t the Issue: How Rising Taxes and Insurance Costs are Impacting Homeowners
Recent reports from the Wall Street Journal and other major outlets have highlighted a concerning trend: in some housing markets, homeowners are now paying more for insurance and property taxes than they are for theirREAD MORE
When tracking one owner isn’t enough – the rise of “co-owned homes”
A recent report in the Desert Sun (behind paywall) just reported on “co-owned homes” being banned in Indian Wells (CA). This follows a “controversial” process in Palm Springs where it was allowed, albeit with significantREAD MORE
When the negligent owner is ………………the State!
A lot to unpack in a featured article from the Clarion Ledger (MS) titled “State-owned tax forfeited properties are not cleaned up by the state. Who does it then?” Key Facts from the article: 7,000 state-owned taxREAD MORE