Research Guides: Vacant, Abandoned, and Distressed Property Legal Research Guide: Special Focus: Land Banks

Land Banks - New York

Land Banks are a tool that communities can use to address the problem of vacant properties. Under New York's Land Bank Act, signed in to law in July 2011, a total of 10 municipalities will be authorized to create land banks so that they can gain control of vacant, and tax-delinquent properties so that these properties can better serve the public interest. In May 2012, The City of Newburgh was among the first five municipalities authorized to create a land bank in New York State. The Newburgh Community Land Bank's website includes information about the Newburgh Community Land Bank as well as links to community land bank websites in other states.

New York State Land Bank Program
This is the website of New York State's Empire State Development (ESD) New York Land Bank Program. It includes links to the Land Bank Approval Guidelines (Nov. 2011), the Land Bank Act, and and contact information at ESD for the Land Bank Program.
Center for Community Progress: Two and a Half Years In, Land Banking Takes Shape in New York State
Article on NY Land Banks from the Blog of the Center for Community Progress.
Center for Community Progress: Take It to the Bank: How Land Banks Are Strengthening America's Neighborhoods
The report looks at land banking in the US, including " in-depth portraits of seven diverse land banks" and examples of "land bank policies and other core documents."

Land Banks - Generally

Land Banks and Land Banking
This June 2011 publication by Frank S. Alexander takes a detailed look at land banking: "Land banks are governmental entities that specialize in the conversion of vacant, abandoned and foreclosed properties into productive use. The primary thrust of all land banks and land banking initiatives is to acquire and maintain properties that have been rejected by the open market and left as growing liabilities for neighborhoods and communities. The first task is the acquisition of title to such properties; the second task is the elimination of the liabilities; the third task is the transfer of the properties to new owners in a manner most supportive of local needs and priorities."
NSP [Neighborhood Stabilization Program] Land Banking Toolkit
From from HUD's NSP [Neighborhood Stabilization Program], this toolkit is "intended for use in the planning and program design phase of NSP projects. Resources include sample policies and procedures, program manuals, checklists, and sample agreements.Includes forms and guidance documents."
Revitalizing Foreclosed Properties with Land Banks
This 2009 publication from HUD includes several case studies.
Urban Agriculture and Commercial Development by Community Land Trusts
This April 2013 article was written by Rosenberg, Greg and Jeffrey Yuen. From the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy.
Land Bank Information Headquarters
From the Center for Community Progress, this website includes a National Map of Land Banks and Land Banking Programs.

Land Banks - Other States

The Road to Passing the Pennsylvania Land Bank Act
This article from the Community Progress website details the development and passing of the Pennsylvania Land Bank Act.
Land Bank Success - Nationally
This list of successful land banks is from the Newburgh Community Land Bank.