On August 6th, the New York State Senate Committee on Investigations & Government Operations issued a report titled, Investigative Report on Code Enforcement in New York State. Per the press release from Senator James Skoufis, ChairREAD MORE
Journal of Behavioral Medicine “Urban building demolitions, firearm violence and drug crime”
In February, we reported on a LSU Department of Sociology study showing a statistical connection between homicide, blighted buildings and convenience stores in Baton Rouge, LA. In a recent article, Newsweek discusses a study inREAD MORE
National League of Cities Report: Homeward Bound The Road to Affordable Housing
The National League of Cities (NLC) issued an affordable housing report entitled “Homeward Bound: The Road to Affordable Housing,” The report; Offers several policy actions, Gives a comprehensive overview of the history and factors behindREAD MORE
The Franklin Regional Council of Governments (MA): Vacant and Abandoned Buildings: Toolkit for Town Officials
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
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
Foreclosure Crisis Impacts on Local Voter Participation
Following is a press release from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, discussing how the most recent foreclosure crisis negatively impacted voter turnout. Foreclosure Crisis Eroded Milwaukee Voter Turnout The foreclosure crisis that accompanied the Great RecessionREAD MORE
Engaging a New Generation and Creating a New Tool in the Blight Fight
A local community in Pennsylvania has tapped in to a great resource, local students from Harrisburg Area Community College and Blue Mountain High School. The initiative to help the borough of Mahanoy City determine exactlyREAD MORE
Pennsylvania Restore PA Initiative
In a recent article from WJAC, discussing the Governor’s new initiative, DCED Deputy Secretary of Community Affairs Rick Vilello has a very profound quote. “Vilello says blight often begins with small blemishes. First it startsREAD MORE
Resident Officer Program
A recent report from the Peoria Journal Star discusses their resident officer program. “The officers are located in strategic areas around the city. They work from their city-owned homes to establish close connections with theREAD MORE
GOPC Report “Misconceptions About Vacant Property Registries” – an Analysis
In September of 2018 the Greater Ohio Policy Center issued a report “Misconceptions About Vacant Property Registries”. The report provides an overview of Vacant Property Registration Ordinances along with guidance for communities seeking to implement theREAD MORE