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
Abandoned homes can be dangerous. How can cities fight blight?
Interesting interview by American University Radio discussing why abandoned homes exist, what problems they cause, and what communities can do to reclaim some of these spaces. Interview features Alan Mallach – senior fellow Center forREAD MORE
Washington Senate Bill 5060 Registration of Rental and Vacant Housing Units
In March 2022, we reported on Washington Senate SB 5825 that would require the department of commerce to convene a work group to make recommendations on the creation of a statewide rental and vacant propertyREAD MORE
Rental Inspections – The Successes and Challenges
A recent webinar, convened by Strategic Code Enforcement Management Academy (SCEMA) discussed how to leverage Health Impact Assessments’ program and policy recommendations with local leaders, nonprofits, and code officials. Additionally, representatives from Syracuse and RochesterREAD MORE
Scary Development? Frustration Boiling Over With Vacant Properties
The proliferation and associated dangers of fires at vacant properties are well documented. These fires are often attributed to squatters or homeless individual taking up residence. However, a new report from Flint MI asks aREAD MORE
“Zombie Debt” – Foreclosing on presumed “dead” Second Mortgages
Update May 10, 2024 NPR “Planet Money” focuses on second mortgages “coming back to life” and discusses various legal strategies that appear to assist homeowners avoid foreclosure and forfeiture. To listen to the audio report,READ MORE
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution “Local governments outmatched by landlords of blighted apartment complexes”
In a thorough report, the The Atlanta Journal-Constitution focuses on the various challenges local governments face in dealing with negligent and often deep pocketed landlords. Included are concerns about lack of resources, lack of incentivesREAD MORE