# Center for Community Progress: Vacant Spaces into Vibrant Places

> Community Progress the leading nonprofit dedicated to helping state and local governments turn vacant properties into vibrant places\.

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## Pages
- [National Land Bank Network Member Portal](https://communityprogress.org/nlbn/nlbn-members/)
- [Land Bank Trainings](https://communityprogress.org/nlbn/land-bank-trainings/)
- [Reclaiming Vacant Properties 2026 Conference](https://communityprogress.org/rvp26/)
- [Mentorship Program](https://communityprogress.org/nlbn/mentorship-program/)
- [2027 NLBN Hill Day](https://communityprogress.org/nlbn/hill-day-2027/)

## Posts
- [How Communities Can Partner with Land Banks to Address Housing Insecurity](https://communityprogress.org/blog/land-banks-housing-insecurity-case-studies/): Three case studies of land banks working with community partners to address housing insecurity\. 
- [Two Decades of Reclaiming Vacant Properties: A Conversation with Wells Fargo](https://communityprogress.org/blog/wells-fargo-rvp26/): We interview Sarah Bainton Kahn, Head of Housing Access and Affordability Philanthropy at Wells Fargo and Company, about what’s changed in community revitalization and what she hopes attendees take away from RVP 2026 in Pittsburgh\.
- [Aaron Sukenik and Cate Irvin on Sustaining Storefront Activation in Downtown Pittsburgh: An RVP Speaker Spotlight](https://communityprogress.org/blog/rvp26-session-downtown-pittsburgh/): We asked our speakers to preview their walking tour at the 2026 Reclaiming Vacant Properties Conference, and what you'll learn by attending\.
- [Ira Goldstein on Lessons in Redevelopment Without Displacement from Pittsburgh’s Hazelwood Neighborhood: An RVP Speaker Spotlight](https://communityprogress.org/blog/rvp26-session-redevelopment-displacement-hazelwood/): We asked one of our speakers to preview his session at the 2026 Reclaiming Vacant Properties Conference, and what you'll learn by attending\.
- [Jack BeVier on Rethinking Vacant Property Strategy in an Era of Private Reinvestment: An RVP Speaker Spotlight](https://communityprogress.org/blog/rvp26-session-private-reinvestment/): We asked one of our speakers to preview his session at the 2026 Reclaiming Vacant Properties Conference, and what you'll learn by attending\.

## Donation Forms
- [General Donation Form](https://communityprogress.org/donations/new-donate-1/): Build Vibrant Communities With Us\. Your gift supports Community Progress’ work to end and prevent vacancy\.

## Vacant Land
- [Tatum Park](https://communityprogress.org/resources/projects/tatum-park/): Tatum Park in Toledo, Ohio is a community green space spanning several lots with a native garden growing organic produce, a market that sells the produce, and a site for environmental eductaional engagement\. Sonia Organics and Bench Farms worked in collaboration with the Lucas County Land Bank to demolish the abandoned home on the lot and prepare it for the new initiative\.
- [Manhattan Marsh](https://communityprogress.org/resources/projects/manhattan-marsh/): The Manhattan Marsh Metropark is a park in the north of Toledo, Ohio that includes a boardwalk trail and over 90 acres of wetland for visitors to observe the natural wildlife\. In collaboration with the City of Toledo and the Lucas County Land Bank, Metroparks Toledo was able to be transferred over 3 dozen parcels through the land bank's tax foreclosure work\.
- [Hematite Art Park](https://communityprogress.org/resources/projects/hematite-art-park/): The Hematite Art Park is a public green space in front of Ishpeming High School \(IHS\) featuring art from local students, benches, a gazebo and landscaping\. For the project, the Marquette County Land Bank in partnership with the IHS and the Ishpeming Community Foundation Youth Advisory Committee\.
- [Faith Farms \& Orchard](https://communityprogress.org/resources/projects/faith-farms-orchard/): The Faith Farms \& Orchard is a revitalization project through a USDA certified urban farm, pollinator park, and agricultural education center\. In partnership with the City of Gary, Indiana, the FAITH organization was given a property with vacant homes that were demolished by the City to address issues of food justice\.
- [Penrose Market Garden](https://communityprogress.org/resources/projects/penrose-market-garden/): A place for individual and community activity and recreation, the design of the Garden includes a welcoming entrance, outdoor classroom space, walks and connections to the surrounding areas, a lawn/gathering/event area lined with flower beds for the market garden’s cut flowers, shade structures and seating\.

## Creative Placemaking
- [Steps at Main](https://communityprogress.org/resources/creative-placemaking/projects/steps-at-main/): In Reading, Pennsylvania, the Reading Public Library joined forces with community organizations to offers its steps as venue for community events\. Library administrators recognize that performing arts are a way to build relationships with community members and transform community members’ perception of its space\.
- [The Exchange House and Backyard](https://communityprogress.org/resources/creative-placemaking/projects/the-exchange-house/): In Akron, Ohio, a vacant building that was once a school supply store has been transformed into the Exchange House, a gathering space and hostel for travelers seeking a culturally immersive experience\.
- [Union Station Revival](https://communityprogress.org/resources/creative-placemaking/projects/union-station-revival/): A nonprofit organization focused on urban exploration, art, and preservation led the effort to beautify an abandoned rail station in Gary, Indiana, with the plan of converting the 4,000 square foot space into a cultural hub and economic driver for the city\.
- [The Yes\! House](https://communityprogress.org/resources/creative-placemaking/projects/the-yes-house/): In downtown Granite Falls, Minnesota, a vacant commercial space is becoming The Yes\! House, a theater venue, regional hub for artists and creatives, youth recreation zone, and community gathering space to nurture conversations around social change\.
- [Vacant Homes Tour](https://communityprogress.org/resources/creative-placemaking/projects/vacant-homes-tour/): The Vacant Homes Tour in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, showcased vacant and abandoned properties, their histories, and potential\. The tour took participants on a journey back in time through the stories of the people and homes of a once vibrant community, and worked to reframe the narrative around vacant properties from challenges to assets\.

## Publications
- [Land Banking in New Mexico](https://communityprogress.org/publications/land-banking-in-new-mexico/): We examine whether New Mexico needs state\-enabling land bank legislation to address its vacant, abandoned, and deteriorated properties\.
- [Addressing Vacancy and Brownfield Properties in Louisiana](https://communityprogress.org/publications/land-banks-brownfields-louisiana/): What to know about the Louisiana State Land Bank Authority Act and how land banks can help address contaminated properties in the state\.
- [Breaking Barriers for Under\-Resourced Developers](https://communityprogress.org/publications/breaking-barriers-under-resourced-developers/): The challenges under\-resourced affordable housing developments face and how key partners can support them\.
- [Chesapeake Land Bank Authority Strategic Plan](https://communityprogress.org/publications/chesapeake-land-bank-strategic-plan/): Community Progress worked with the Chesapeake Land Bank Authority to develop an ambitious strategic plan for the next five years\.
- [Progress Points: The Cost of Systemic Vacancy](https://communityprogress.org/publications/progress-points-systemic-vacancy/): What is systemic vacancy and how is it different from just a couple of vacant properties? This onepager provides a brief explainer\.

## VL Elements
- [National Zoning Atlas](https://communityprogress.org/resources/vacant-land/elements/examples/national-zoning-atlas/): The National Zoning Atlas enables users to visualize the prevalence and nature of regulatory constraints, particularly on housing\. The Zoning Atlas is an important tool to help people understand what their local zoning codes say; compare codes across jurisdictions, illuminate regional and statewide trends, and strengthen national planning for housing production, transportation infrastructure, and climate response\.
- [Mow\-To\-Own Program \(New Orleans\)](https://communityprogress.org/resources/vacant-land/elements/examples/mow-to-own-program-new-orleans/): New Orleans' 'Mow\-to\-Own' Program invites homeowners adjacent to blighted lots to apply to take care of the empty spaces with the goal of purchasing them down the line\.
- [Vacant Land Assessment System \(VLAS\)](https://communityprogress.org/resources/vacant-land/elements/examples/vacant-land-assessment-system-vlas/): The Vacant Land Assessment System \(VLAS\) uses ArcGIS tools to create strategies for assessing and prioritizing vacant lots for their most suitable regeneration possibilities\. The tool analyzes the geographical surroundings, potential repurposing strategies and property features to classify them and provide ideas for transforming the lots\. The VLAS framework becomes a powerful strategy for future planning in a way that is collaborative across disciplines and stakeholders and assesses lots effectively\.
- [Chicago’s Vacant Lots Near Transit: An ETOD Deep Dive](https://communityprogress.org/resources/vacant-land/elements/examples/chicagos-vacant-lots-near-transit-an-etod-deep-dive/): In Elevated Chicago's report, a case study of two areas in Chicago near transit hubs discuss the impact of vacant lots as well as the potential they hold for the area\.
- [Terra Firma Vacant Lot Toolkit](https://communityprogress.org/resources/vacant-land/elements/examples/terra-firma-vacant-lot-toolkit/): The Terra Firma Vacant Lot Toolkit provides extensive background on vacant lots in Chicago while laying out actionable goals and steps for others to transform parcels into spaces of dignity\. Created by the Emerald South Economic Development Collaborative, this toolkit sets out to provide a blueprint for various stakeholders that are interested in embarking on this work\.

## Press Releases
- [Center for Community Progress Announces Participants in “Land Banks Addressing Housing Insecurity Learning Exchange”](https://communityprogress.org/press/land-banks-housing-insecurity-learning-exchange/): Three land banks selected to join national peer\-learning program focused on expanding affordable housing for vulnerable populations\.
- [Center for Community Progress Announces Recipients of Clearing Title, Catalyzing Neighborhoods Awards with Support from $3M Wells Fargo Foundation Grant](https://communityprogress.org/press/clearing-title-catalyzing-neighborhoods-awards/): Sixteen nonprofit organizations receive awards to provide education or support to families experiencing heirs’ property challenges\.
- [Community Progress Welcomes Presley Gillespie’s Return to Board of Directors](https://communityprogress.org/press/presley-gillespie-community-progress-board-2026/): Returning board member brings deep leadership experience and strong ties to Pittsburgh as Community Progress prepares for Reclaiming Vacant Properties Conference\.
- [Community Progress Announces Recipients of Technical Assistance Award to Advance Brownfield Revitalization](https://communityprogress.org/press/technical-assistance-brownfields-award/): Build Baton Rouge; the Maine Redevelopment Land Bank Authority; and the City of Raton, New Mexico selected for national technical assistance award\. 
- [Reclaiming Vacant Properties Conference Returns to Pittsburgh in 2026](https://communityprogress.org/press/rvp-2026-announcement-pittsburgh/): The 2026 Reclaiming Vacant Properties Conference \(RVP\) will be held in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on September 22–25, 2026, at the David L\. Lawrence Convention Center\.

## Events
- [How to Address Vacant and Deteriorated Commercial Properties](https://communityprogress.org/event-list/addressing-vacant-commercial-properties/): Learn strategies to address vacant and deteriorated neighborhood\-serving commercial corridors\.
- [September Land Bank Training: Engaging in the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act](https://communityprogress.org/event-list/road-to-housing-act-training/): This training will cover key next steps following the passage of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, identify where and how land banks can effectively engage, and discuss strategies for local implementation\. 
- [Land with a Plan: Using Design as a Strategic Tool in Land Banking](https://communityprogress.org/event-list/land-with-a-plan/)
- [Securing and Deploying Brownfields Funding for Land Banks](https://communityprogress.org/event-list/securing-brownfields-funding/): Learn about the role land banks can play in remediation and reuse, how to successfully procure and deploy brownfields funding, and the positive community impact land banks have when they can engage in this work\.
- [Challenges and Opportunities in Changing Urban Housing Markets](https://communityprogress.org/event-list/changing-urban-housing-markets/): Explore the dynamics behind recent shifts in urban housing markets and what they mean for community development practitioners\.

## Our Team
- [Carolina Rodriguez](https://communityprogress.org/about/our-team/carolina-rodriguez/)
- [Liz Kozub](https://communityprogress.org/about/our-team/liz-kozub/)
- [Alan Mallach](https://communityprogress.org/about/our-team/alan-mallach/)
- [Kim Graziani](https://communityprogress.org/about/our-team/kim-graziani/)
- [Mallory Rappaport](https://communityprogress.org/about/our-team/mallory-rappaport/)

## Case Studies
- [Building Local Capacity to Address Vacant Properties in Puerto Rico](https://communityprogress.org/services/technical-assistance/case-studies/puerto-rico-vacant-properties-case-study/): How Community Progress supported local leaders in Puerto Rico to build capacity and reform laws to make vacant property revitalization possible across the islands\.
- [Securing $96 Million for Blight Elimination in Michigan](https://communityprogress.org/services/technical-assistance/case-studies/blight-elimination-michigan-case-study/): How Community Progress helped the Michigan Land Bank Association advocate for a significant appropriation of state funding for vacant property revitalization\.
- [Developing Practical Tools to Scale Up Land Banking Across Georgia](https://communityprogress.org/services/technical-assistance/case-studies/georgia-land-bank-resource-guide-case-study/): How Community Progress developed ready\-to\-use guides that more than doubled the number of land banks across Georgia\.
- [Helping the Tri\-COG Land Bank Develop a Strategy to Transform Vacant Properties in Pennsylvania](https://communityprogress.org/services/technical-assistance/case-studies/tri-cog-land-bank-strategic-plan-case-study/): How we helped the Tri\-COG land bank chart a bold vision for the next five years, and position it as a catalyst for change in the Mon Valley of Pennsylvania\.
- [Auditing Louisville, Kentucky's Code Enforcement Program Through an Equity Lens](https://communityprogress.org/resources/case-studies/louisville-kentucky-code-enforcement-case-study/): How we helped Louisville with a collaborative workshop and data\-driven reforms to make code enforcement more equitable, efficient, and effective\.

## Board of Directors
- [Brett Theodos](https://communityprogress.org/about/board/brett-theodos/)
- [Presley L\. Gillespie](https://communityprogress.org/about/board/presley-l-gillespie/)
- [Connie Wright](https://communityprogress.org/about/board/connie-wright/)
- [Ernst Valery](https://communityprogress.org/about/board/ernst-valery/)
- [Christa Stoneham](https://communityprogress.org/about/board/christa-stoneham/)

## Data \& Stories
- [Vacant and “Blighted” Properties in the American South: Historical Causes and Today’s Patterns](https://communityprogress.org/data-stories/southern-property-vacancy-maps/): Explore through maps where property vacancy and abandonment are the biggest challenges in the South and understand the historic causes behind why it is a persistent, widespread challenge today\.
- [Opportunity Zones and Land Banks on One Map: What to Know About OZ 2\.0](https://communityprogress.org/data-stories/opportunity-zones-land-banks-map/): The Opportunity Zone \(OZ\) program has attracted nearly $85 billion in private investment to economically distressed census tracts\. Created by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, the OZ program is the largest federally funded place\-based economic development subsidy\.
- [Five Action Areas on Vacant and Deteriorated Property for Detroit’s Next Administration](https://communityprogress.org/data-stories/detroit-vacant-property-recommendations-2026/):  Five recommendations for Detroit’s 2026 mayoral administration to leverage the city's 175,000\+ vacant and abandoned properties for housing, open space, and other uses that revitalize the city, and build on progress to address vacancy to date\. 
- [National Land Bank Survey Dashboard](https://communityprogress.org/data-stories/national-land-bank-survey-dashboard/): Every two years, the National Land Bank Network surveys the 300\+ land banks and land banking programs across the country to capture the state of the field\. The 2025 State of Land Banking Survey highlights the diverse roles, needs, and impact of these organizations\.
- [Challenges and Opportunities to Revitalizing Historic Black Commercial Corridors](https://communityprogress.org/data-stories/black-commercial-corridor-revitalization/): We explore how community engagement, creative placemaking, and public\-private investment are helping revitalize vacant and deteriorated properties in historic Black commercial corridors, drawing lessons from Alabama communities and across the country\.

## Tangible Templates
- [Resource Library Background Image](https://communityprogress.org/?tangible_template=resource-library-background-image)
- [Events Archive Mobile](https://communityprogress.org/?tangible_template=events-archive-mobile)
- [events\_sidebar](https://communityprogress.org/?tangible_template=events_sidebar)

## Event Types
- [Virtual](https://communityprogress.org/events/virtual/)
- [In\-Person](https://communityprogress.org/events/in-person/)
- [Conference](https://communityprogress.org/events/conference/)
- [Conference \| In Person](https://communityprogress.org/events/conference-in-person/)

## Resource Library Topics
- [Vacant Properties](https://communityprogress.org/resources/library/topic/vacant-properties/)
- [Strategic Code Enforcement](https://communityprogress.org/resources/library/topic/strategic-code-enforcement/)
- [Systemic Vacancy](https://communityprogress.org/resources/library/topic/systemic-vacancy/)

## Optional
- [Sitemap index](https://communityprogress.org/sitemap_index.xml)