Update January 4, 2023 North Country Now provides an update on this new initiative. Push underway for state PILOT payments on abandoned properties in Ogdensburg Ogdensburg city councilors want New York state to makeREAD MORE
Conditional Veto of NJ A793 “Community Wealth Preservation Program”
Gov. Phil Murphy has conditionally vetoed a foreclosure bill that would have made it easier for families and nonprofits to buy homes at sheriff’s sales. Dubbed the “Community Wealth Preservation Program,” the bill would have allowed:READ MORE
When Landlords Hide Behind LLCs
A new Shelterforce article discusses the difficulties communities face in to knowing who owns a property due to the increasing numbers of “LLCs”. “This type of hidden ownership is linked to deteriorating housing and a lackREAD MORE
Virginia Commonwealth University Study: Negligent landlords predictor of neighborhood violence
A study by Virginia Commonwealth University researchers found that the tax delinquency of company-owned properties was the only variable that predicted violence in all but four of the city’s 148 neighborhoods. According to lead authorREAD MORE
Moving from “Shaming” to Partnering
Erie County (NY) Clerk Michael P. Kearns, while in all likelihood not abandoning his “Bank Shame Campaign” announced a new program called the “Good Neighbor Project”. This new project is “designed to hold servicers ofREAD MORE
Eminent Domain for Vacant and Abandoned Properties
A recent article, discusses DE HB 458 that would have given Wilmington “extra powers to acquire vacant and abandoned properties through eminent domain” Debate among Wilmington City Council members did not result in a conclusiveREAD MORE
Changing the Built Environment to Combat Violent Crime
A recent “Message From (HUD) PD&R Senior Leadership” discusses the relationship between remediating vacant lots and crime. Specifically, “a growing body of research on Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design focuses on cleaning and greening vacant lotsREAD MORE
Closing the Loop – Rental Registries
Proposed legislation in New York State awaiting the Governor’s signature is designed to close an important loop. Albany is showing “that less than half of the properties involved in eviction proceedings have that permit onREAD MORE
“Bad Actors Registry”
The City of San Antonio TX is considering a new, proactive apartment inspection policy in an attempt to hold accountable negligent landlords who allow tenants to live in unsanitary, dangerous and otherwise illegal conditions. WhileREAD MORE
Proactive Messaging and Collaboration
One City Manager has proactively utilized local media to both educate his citizens on the issue of blight and how the city addresses it, but also issues a strong call for collaboration. For more information,READ MORE
No more warnings!
One Ohio community is now ceasing to send warnings or letters etc. “for anyone that has trash laying around their house or high grass”. Per the City Solicitor those warnings are not required. “There’s noREAD MORE
“Stop Catering to the Deadbeats”
In a recent “Revitalize or Die” blog posting, Jeff Siegler encourages local governments to implement the proper blight fighting tools and take the necessary actions to protect their respective communities. Siegler seeks to change theREAD MORE