As communities around the nation combat dramatic increases in vacant and abandoned properties, together we face an unprecedented need to create effective new systems to support more efficient and sustainable community and economic development efforts.

By re-engineering the underlying policies and practices that affect land acquisition, management, and reuse, municipalities will be better able to stem the flow of properties from becoming vacant, remove empty buildings that are health and safety hazards, and utilize properties to create more connected neighborhoods, meet local needs including food security, and create more attractive public spaces.

The Center for Community Progress is a new nonprofit organization that helps local and state governments seize the opportunity of reusing these kinds of properties for the economic and social benefit of their communities.