Land banks need a strategic direction to generate lasting positive impacts in their communities, but translating the generalized language of strategic plans int ... more

Land banks need a strategic direction to generate lasting positive impacts in their communities, but translating the generalized language of strategic plans into concrete actions and frameworks for continuous improvement can be challenging. This session will explore the Ingham County Land Bank’s comprehensive 2012 strategic planning and action process, including interviews with stakeholders, defining and refining a logic model/strategic plan and creating a process map to help convert the plan into action and provide feedback for improvement. Presenters will also lead in interactive visual presentation and discussion about alternative activities that land banks can consider for their own strategy and action planning. Participants will sharpen their knowledge around key planning principles and elements, and come away with an understanding of why strategy and action planning are important, the tools and processes, how to use logic models and process maps and available resources for next steps.

Instructors:

Jeffrey Padden

Technology often brings with it a promise of process improvements, greater efficiencies and significant economic benefit over time–all of which are crucial to t ... more

Technology often brings with it a promise of process improvements, greater efficiencies and significant economic benefit over time–all of which are crucial to the successful implementation and maintenance of a land bank. Adequate software allows for land bank staff to focus more of their efforts on building stronger communities. In the past, land banks have lacked a tool that will manage, report, and track activities- and the real on-the-ground progress, efficiently and effectively. STR, the Center for Community Progress and public sector redevelopment and land bank authorities have established a collaborative model of engagement to architect ePropertyPlus. Hear from the developers of the software and land bank authority’s staff who are implementing this software to adequately track their land bank activities from property acquisition to disposition and everything in between. This interactive panel discussion will highlight aspects of the framework used to guide the working partnership, as well as case studies, tips and techniques, and candid dialog as to what worked well and where improvements could be made relative to common business drivers for change across the land banking community.

Instructors:

Courtney Knox

Local educational institutions have needs and aspirations that dovetail with land banks – from quality housing to economic development. This session will look a ... more

Local educational institutions have needs and aspirations that dovetail with land banks – from quality housing to economic development. This session will look at dynamic examples of land bank/university partnerships that are creating opportunity and revitalizing their neighborhoods. Genesee County Habitat for Humanity and the University of Michigan-Flint Entrepreneurs Society have partnered with the Genesee County Land Bank Authority and other stakeholders to create work/live projects in under-served neighborhoods, with the goal of identifying potential entrepreneurs interested in creating for-profit businesses based on the area's needs and integrating them into Habitat for Humanity space.

Instructors:

Margaret Kato

Many new land banks have been established as standalone organizations in recent years; at the same time, existing redevelopment authorities have begun to practi ... more

Many new land banks have been established as standalone organizations in recent years; at the same time, existing redevelopment authorities have begun to practice land banking as one of their core functions. While land banks benefit from being single-purpose entities with authorities that are tailored to that specific purpose, redevelopment authorities enjoy access to other powers and reinvestment programs not typically included in a land bank. This session will help stakeholders understand the advantages and disadvantages of housing a land banking program within a redevelopment authority versus an independent entity so they can make informed decisions about how to structure land banking operations. Hear from experienced practitioners from both sides of the aisle – redevelopment authorities and independent entities – to learn about the advantages, challenges and opportunities that each approach offers.

Instructors:

David Lessinger AICP

While land banks are ideal structures for acquiring and remediating property and preparing it for reuse by clearing title, removing hazards and eliminating othe ... more

While land banks are ideal structures for acquiring and remediating property and preparing it for reuse by clearing title, removing hazards and eliminating other obstacles, sometimes assistance with exit strategies is necessary – and that’s where community land trusts (CLTs) can come in. CLTs in their most basic form retain the land underneath a building and lease the use of that land to a new owner – with lease covenants assuring that the property is used for the benefit of the community, while guaranteeing that current and future residents benefit from revitalization as development continues. Among America’s more than 250 community land trusts, many are developing or exploring relationships with municipal land banks. In Atlanta, one of the nation’s oldest land banks is building a model of collaboration with local community land trusts, and in Philadelphia – spurred by the possibility of state-enabling legislation – the recently established Community Justice Land Trust is working with the city and other stakeholders to craft municipal land bank legislation to support the beneficial reuse of property by land trusts and other community-based developers and in New Orleans, the Crescent City Land Trust is working with the city's redevelopment agency to create a strategy for the long-term use of nearly 10,000 vacant properties. Learn about the challenges and opportunities of building a mutually supportive working relationship between land banks and community land trusts from key participants in these efforts.

Instructors:

Miriam Axel-Lute

Traditional models of community participation have not always proven to be effective at building trust and engaging residents in decisions around land reuse. Du ... more

Traditional models of community participation have not always proven to be effective at building trust and engaging residents in decisions around land reuse. During this session, you will learn about the experiences of groups working in three Midwestern cities – Youngstown, , Flint and Detroit – to create new forms of community engagement that empower residents to create change in their neighborhoods, and inspire partnerships that connect equity and respect with realistic, credible, and effective planning to revitalize local communities. Speakers will talk about undertaking innovative community engagement work around neighborhood planning, including how to reenergize trust and inspire support among grassroots groups and local residents. Takeaways include a better understanding of how to effectively support active community involvement and understand the importance of recognizing the historical context of race and land use to engage residents in productive conversations about land banking.

Instructors:

Ian Beniston AICP

Code enforcement operations can help prevent properties from becoming vacant, keep neighborhoods healthy and safe and even catalyze revitalization – but only if ... more

Code enforcement operations can help prevent properties from becoming vacant, keep neighborhoods healthy and safe and even catalyze revitalization – but only if they’re well-designed and effectively used – and in an era of reduced revenue and increasing blight, it is more important than ever to effectively develop and manage code enforcement resources. Speakers and participants will use case studies and personal examples of successes (and failures) to explore these issues, and will also look at central components of effective code enforcement departments, from methods that help replenish your budget (using administrative civil penalties, full cost recovery, collections, lien foreclosure and more) to those that enhance or detract from your efforts (including data and filing systems). This session will also help point out the landmines to avoid while attempting to manage and motivate a code enforcement system and team.

Instructors:

Doug Leeper

Community stakeholders must design and carry out winning advocacy strategies in order to implement progressive land use plans and policies to combat problem pro ... more

Community stakeholders must design and carry out winning advocacy strategies in order to implement progressive land use plans and policies to combat problem properties. In this interactive and engaging session you’ll hear from national, local and statewide advocates about the nuts and bolts of creating a campaign plan. Experts will discuss elements of planning and executing a successful campaign, including polling, grassroots outreach, identifying targets and ensuring a win. Whether you’re just starting and looking to learn about building a policy coalition, or are well underway and wondering how to deal with difficult legislators, this session will help you get to the next level of success.

Instructors:

Jen Leonard

Whether contending with the consequences of a single vacant home or blocks of abandoned lots and commercial buildings, issues related to code enforcement are es ... more

Whether contending with the consequences of a single vacant home or blocks of abandoned lots and commercial buildings, issues related to code enforcement are essential to effective problem-solving for neighborhoods, towns and cities. In addition, redevelopment authorities are increasingly viewing – and using – code enforcement as an effective tool for stabilization and redevelopment of residential and commercial corridors. Join us to learn about how this frequently underappreciated and underutilized resource can be used as part of the toolkit for land banks and related agencies in the fight against foreclosure and property abandonment. Learn how land banks can deploy resources for effective property acquisition through strategic code enforcement – and how code enforcement can function as the first responder to vacant, abandoned and problem property. Find out how code enforcement can maintain a sense of community order, protect property values and stabilize distressed communities; how current code enforcement programs can adapt to the current housing industry; and how partnerships between municipalities, CDCs, developers, neighboring communities, citizen groups and others have given code enforcement initiatives new life and new potency in the effort to revitalize neighborhoods.

Instructors:

Nicole Heyman

Although it’s sometimes difficult to determine which came first, vacant properties and crime are often linked. Unattended vacancy often contributes to neighborh ... more

Although it’s sometimes difficult to determine which came first, vacant properties and crime are often linked. Unattended vacancy often contributes to neighborhood decline, which in turn can create an environment more hospitable to property crimes such as vandalism and theft, as well as drug activity, prostitution, and violence. The impact of foreclosures in neighborhoods has brought these problems to many communities in the U.S. This session will address the problem of crime due to abandoned and foreclosed properties by highlighting two key strategies: Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) and a three-pronged approach including Prevention, Enforcement and Reuse. Walk away from the discussion with a better understanding of how particular neighborhood activities and the design of physical space can contribute to the overall safety of a community. You will gain a thorough understanding of the fundamental principles behind CPTED and the three-pronged approach, as well as, leave well-equipped with best practices to apply in your communities.

Instructors:

John DiPietro