Addressing Vacant and Blighted Residential Properties
The Metropolitan Mayors Caucus has developed toolkits and resources to municipalities struggling to address vacant property challenges.
Vacant Building Ordinances
In 2016, we partnered with Business and Professional People for the Public Interest (BPI) to release Vacant Building Ordinances: Strategies for Confronting Vacant Building Challenges. In Illinois, there are now more than 100 municipalities with vacant building ordinances – more than twice as many as in 2010. With VBOs flourishing in Illinois and around the country, we have been able to draw on a wealth of experience from municipal officials and staff working on the frontlines to address vacant property challenges. This document features some of the most important lessons they have learned.
Vacant Building Ordinances: Strategies for Confronting Vacant Building Challenges
Appendix 1: Examples of statutory language
Appendix 2: Resources for identifying responsible parties
Appendix 3: Checklist for pursuing various types of municipal liens related to property maintenance
Vacant Property Toolkit
In 2010, the Caucus worked with BPI and the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) to create two documents that provide information about nine tools that have proven most effective as municipalities have worked to reduce the negative impact of vacant properties.
Introductory Guide: How Can Municipalities Confront the Vacant Property Challenge?
Toolkit: How Can Municipalities Confront the Vacant Property Challenge?
How Can Municipalities Confront the Vacant Property Challenge? An Appendix to the Toolkit
Staff Contact
Ben Schnelle
Housing and Community Development Associate
bschnelle@mayorscaucus.org