A recent Op-Ed discusses the progression of Kansas HB 2083 that has now passed the House. VPRO’s are widely utilized across the country. As the author states, the legislators are on the wrong side ofREAD MORE
Institutional Investors in Housing
A new report has been released by Nowak Metro Finance Lab in collaboration with Accelerator for America titled, “We Buy Houses”: You Lose Out. This study follow a September 2022 study titled, “Investor Home PurchasesREAD MORE
Nuisance Lien Recovery
Two recent developments in this arena from Georgia and Michigan. Georgia The LaGrange City Council is considering limiting the interest that accrues on liens placed on properties to pay for the demolition of unsafe houses.READ MORE
California Seeks to Boost Code Enforcement
Senate Bill 356 was introduced on February 8th, and was referred to the Housing Committee the following week. According to the Legislative Counsel’s Digest; The bill (titled “Housing: Code Enforcement Incentive Program: Community Code EnforcementREAD MORE
Fees for Vacant Property Owners Who Receive 311 Complaints
Baltimore City Council is considering establishing fees for vacant property owners who receive 311 requests against their properties. The ordinance would create a fee structure with increasing fines as more and more substantiated 311 serviceREAD MORE
“Unprecedented Test Case” in Pittsburgh
In what the Pittsburgh Gazette is calling an “unprecedented effort”, “dramatic move” and a “test case”, community groups are pushing in Allegheny County Common Pleas Court to step in under the state’s Abandoned and Blighted Property ConservatorshipREAD MORE
“Padlock Laws” for Nuisance Properties
The New Orleans City Council voted to give the police chief authority to shut down nuisance businesses that could be contributing to the city’s crime crisis. The “padlock law provides for a business to beREAD MORE
Taking Tougher Stand on Fires at Abandoned Properties
Two recent articles discuss new strategies pertaining to fires, and the associated costs to local government, at vacant and abandoned properties. Winnipeg (Canada) Newly proposed legislation in Winnipeg (Canada) proposes that owners of vacant propertiesREAD MORE
Bank Versus Land Bank – Surplus Tax Sale Funds
Update: April 4th “Ohio Justices Toss US Bank ‘Takings’ Claims Against Counties” In a recent report from Court News Ohio: “A national bank seeking to avoid transfers of abandoned property to county land banks shouldREAD MORE
Increasing Resources Through a Public Safety Levy
After Billings MT voters approved a $7 million public safety levy in November 2021, the City has now utilized the funds to increase staffing of police, community service and code enforcement officers, along with implementingREAD MORE
Another “Carrot” – Property Tax Credits for Purchase and Restoration of Abandoned and Nuisance Buildings
Update Feb 6 The bill was introduced as HB 0135 TO view the bill text and current status, please click here. A new bill scheduled for introduction in the Wyoming Statehouse “would let communities issueREAD MORE
New York State: Statewide Strategy to Address New York’s Housing Crisis “New York Housing Compact”
Governor Kathy Hochul announced a statewide strategy to address New York’s housing crisis. Included are; Proposed legislation to create a program that will require multi-family rental units that were built prior to 1980 to undergoREAD MORE