The Greater Ohio Policy Center (GOPC) has released Local Interventions for Eviction Prevention and Why They Are Needed, a guide for laying the groundwork to support Ohio renters and prevent evictions related to the COVID-19READ MORE
Leveraging Relationships to Address Blight – Part Two
In August 2019 we highlighted creative out-of-the-box solutions to address blight. A recent article discussing a new “tag-team” in Columbiana County OH focused on blight, discusses some of the challenges with tax delinquent properties, especiallyREAD MORE
Nuisance Incidents vs Arrests
A recent article from Newsday discusses a recent change in Oyster Bay, NY Oyster Bay expands nuisance law on boarding up homes The Town of Oyster Bay has expanded its powers to board up houses underREAD MORE
University of Kansas Study on Demolitions and its Affect on Crime Reduction
A recent University of Kansas study found a program demolishing more than 500 abandoned residential properties in Kansas City, Missouri, did not significantly reduce nearby violent or property crime. Hye-Sung Han, assistant professor of publicREAD MORE
Uniformity – Benefits and Pitfalls
Uniformity – Benefits and Pitfalls In the precarious and troublesome arena of blighted and abandoned properties, uniformity, best practices, and opportunity for improvement all compete for the attention of code officials, lawmakers and constituents. EachREAD MORE
Connecting the Dots
MuniReg has advocated registries as a tool not just to address blight but also to prevent future occurrences. A recent report on a collaboration between Hudson County executives and The Waterfront Project, Inc. shines aREAD MORE
Better local government data security can prevent property fraud
Deviating from the direct topic of blight, property registries etc., my most recent article published in American City & County focuses on information security and its (indirect) connection to blight, with an emphasis on howREAD MORE
Doing the Right Thing…….Part Deux
Though, yes I am feeling a little nostalgic for 80’s/90’s movies, this discussion isn’t about Spike Lee , Charlie Sheen or the late, great, Lloyd Bridges. Early 2019, we wrote about specific ordinance language thatREAD MORE
No Good Deed Goes Unpunished?
I’m sure there is another side to this story, but in all honesty I am scared that I already know the answer. I strive to focus on innovative approaches, creative solutions, and positive outcomes thatREAD MORE
Center for Community Progress’ 2020 VAD Academy Resource Page
Vacant, abandoned, and deteriorated properties plague communities of all sizes across the United States. Whether spurred by natural disasters or industry loss, these properties create compound challenges for residents and local governments. When working toREAD MORE
Weakening the Power of Code Enforcement
In a recent article (click here), a local TV station in Cincinnati discusses a Councilmember’s new initiative to have unpaid code enforcement fines no longer be applied to the property’s taxes. While the Councilmember’s intentionsREAD MORE
Owner’s Names – To Disclose or Not? New Method……QR Codes
In two recently published articles we find contrasting approaches two large cities are taking regarding making the owner information to the general public. Baltimore, that is taking the approach of being more transparent intends toREAD MORE
