Demolitions, such a critical component of a blight mitigation strategy, often come with a hefty price tag. Creative approaches are often necessary. Previously we have discussed communities that have utilized the National Guard for theirREAD MORE
SB 60 signed by Florida Governor
SB 60 addressing the issue of anonymous code enforcement complaints has been signed by Governor DeSantis in Florida on June 29, 2021. Following is a summary of the bill by the Florida Senate Community AffairsREAD MORE
Two Sides of the Coin – Strict Permit Enforcement vs the “Local Rehabber”
A recent article discusses Michigan City’s (Indiana) challenge in permit requirement enforcement. “A crackdown on building permits could end up backfiring, the City Council was told” For more the full report from nwitimes.com, please clickREAD MORE
Rental Inspection Program Legal Challenge – Orange City IA
A lawsuit over whether municipalities have the authority to inspect rental homes without criminal cause is being waged in Orange City. Three residents and two landlords in the town of about 6,200 are suing theREAD MORE
GAO COVID-19 Housing Protections
In its most recent report on housing, the GAO analysis of the National Mortgage Database showed mortgage forbearance and other Federal efforts have reduced default and foreclosure risks. For more information, please click here. WhyREAD MORE
Money Well Spent – Land Banks
A recent study by Youngstown State University Williamson College of Business demonstrates a solid ROI. $21 million utilized to demolish abandoned homes, rehabilitate others and spruce up abandoned lots across Mahoning County (Ohio) returned $33.2READ MORE
Engage PGH – Pittsburgh’s Department of Permits, Licensing, and Inspection Interactive Website
The City of Pittsburgh’s Department of Permits, Licensing, and Inspection (PLI) wants community feedback about condemned properties. The department’s new interactive website provides information about structures and space to comment about their safety. The city’s own scoringREAD MORE
Appellate Court Rules Keep Chicago Renting Ordinance is Preempted
On April 30, 2021, the First District Appellate Court struck down Chicago’s Protecting Tenants in Foreclosed Rental Properties Ordinance, better known as the Keep Chicago Renting Ordinance (“KCRO”) finding it is completely preempted by Illinois’READ MORE
The Power to Stabilize Neighborhoods
In a new study, Karen Black with May 8 Consulting Research “summarizes the existing research about the effectiveness of certain policy interventions to help stabilize low- and moderate-income neighborhoods after a macroeconomic shock. This documentREAD MORE
Stipends for Property Maintenance
Instead of relying on lawn maintenance companies, the Genesee County Land Bank are hiring community block-clubs, schools, churches, neighborhood associations, and local non-profits to clean and maintain their own neighborhoods “We have actually 10 newREAD MORE
American City and County; Housing and Property Conditions Can Affect Neighborhood Stability
American City and County published an article written by Michael Halpern on the impact vacant properties have on a neighborhood’s stability. Taking data collected on HUD’s metrics, reported by the US Government Accountability Office (GAO),READ MORE
Pennsylvania HB 264 Passes House
This legislation would amend the Real Estate Tax Sale Law in regard to registration requirements in order to bid at a tax sale. Name, address and telephone number will be required of every applicant, includingREAD MORE
