In May 2018 the Franklin Regional Council of Governments (MA) issued a report titled “Vacant and Abandoned Buildings: Toolkit for Town Officials” Per the report, the objective is to provide “Guidance for towns on formingREAD MORE
University of Texas School of Law: Texas Problem Properties Toolkit
In 2010, the Community Development Clinic at the University of Texas School of Law issued a study titled, “Texas Problem Properties Toolkit” The Toolkit focuses on; Community engagement Rental property registration Receivership Vacant property ordinancesREAD MORE
Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) – “Vacant Property Strategies”
In December 2018 Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) issued a report titled “Vacant Property Strategies” Per the LISC website “The community development industry has long prioritized addressing “vacants” as part of neighborhood revitalization strategies. AsREAD MORE
Nuisance Property Ordinance Guides
Enterprise Community Partners 2001 Guide , “Solving Chronic Nuisance Problems: A Guide for Neighborhood Leaders”. To access, please click here Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) “Tip Sheet” for nuisance properties ordinance. To access, please clickREAD MORE
City of Bedford OH Ceases Enforcement of Nuisance Ordinance
In February we reported on the various challenges to nuisance property legislation across the country. In a recent development, the city of Bedford, OH agreed to stop enforcing their nuisance ordinance as a result ofREAD MORE
IAAI Abandoned Building Toolbox
The International Association of Arson Investigators has available on their website an Abandoned Building Toolbox. The IAAI/USFA Abandoned Building “Tool Box” provides: A detailed background paper that outlines the problems that vacant and abandoned buildingREAD MORE
National Guard “Clean and Seal” Program
The National Guard has an innovative program call “Clean and Seal” providing temporary relief for communities struggling with abandoned properties. The guardsmen donate their time, effort, and tools through the Nation Guard’s Counterdrug Joint Task Force.READ MORE
New York State Zombie Property Remediation Act of 2019
The Zombie Property Remediation Act of 2019 was passed by both houses in June, continues to be championed by local legislators, and await the Governor’s signature. A recent article in The Post-Journal discusses theREAD MORE
Supreme Court strikes blow against states that raise revenue by hefty fines, forfeitures
A February 2019 article in USA Today discusses a US Supreme Court unanimous ruling stating, that states cannot impose excessive fees, fines and forfeitures as criminal penalties. “The decision, which united the court’s conservatives and liberals, makesREAD MORE
New York State “Zombies 2.0” – Attorney General James Announces Funds To Combat Zombie Homes And Revitalize Neighborhoods
On July 10th, New York State Attorney General Letitia James announced the recipients of $9 million in grants to address the growing statewide issue of “zombie homes” – vacant or abandoned homes that are not maintained duringREAD MORE
GAO-19-517 Improved Procedures and Assessment Could Increase Efficiency of Foreclosed Property Conveyances
As FHA insured mortgages continue to increase its market share, additional focus should be placed on the policies FHA/HUD have in place to address properties whose loan becomes delinquent and the property is abandoned. OnREAD MORE
Abandoned Properties and Blight due to……Pyrrhotite?
As far back as 2016, the State of Connecticut identified a significant issue with deficient concrete resulting in crumbling basements and foundations. The crisis prompted the state to create an official web page dedicated toREAD MORE