Center for Community Progress Reclaiming Vacant Property ConferenceSeptember 10, 2013

ORGANIZING STATEWIDE FOR LOCAL RESULTS

Goals of InitiativeRoll out new statutes and

tools locallyEncourage people to

innovate and share success Identify challenges that

need state level solutionsCraft solutions and get

them implementedRoll out new tools locally

THE NEW JERSEY PROBLEM PROPERTIES INITIATIVE

MethodsRecruited NJ municipalities to participate in CCP’s Leadership Institute in 2011

Developed our own NJ Community Leadership Institute based on CCP program to share strategies & successes

Offered one-on-one TA to city officials and CDCs on problem property strategies

Conducted citywide/regional strategy sessions on key issues – strategic code enforcement, spot blight eminent domain, etc.

THE NEW JERSEY PROBLEM PROPERTIES INITIATIVE

Theory of Change

Expanding network of people

using problem property tools effectively in NJ could:

Step up change at local level

Provide ambassadors to help other communities learn, apply and innovate

THE NEW JERSEY PROBLEM PROPERTIES INITIATIVE

Problem Property ToolkitTax foreclosure tools• Accelerated foreclosure• Special tax sale

Spot blight eminent domainVacant property receivership Creditor responsibility lawVacant property registration

THE NEW JERSEY PROBLEM PROPERTIES INITIATIVE

Preliminary Results:Learning network of cities grew from 5 to more than 15

Most enacted at least several new policies or strategies

State land banking legislation, tax lien reform legislation introduced; accelerated mortgage foreclosure bill passed

Hundreds of properties reclaimed & restored, with thousands more in progress

THE NEW JERSEY PROBLEM PROPERTIES INITIATIVE

For more on NJ’s problem property laws & tools go to:

Housing & Community Development Network’s Neighborhood Toolkit www.hcdnnj.org

THE NEW JERSEY PROBLEM PROPERTIES INITIATIVE