R EVITALIZING N EIGHBORHOODS THROUGH V ACANT P ROPERTY S TRATEGIES Michigan Municipal League’s 111 th Annual Convention September 23, 2009

Presentation Goals 2 ProblemDetroit StrategyAccomplishmentsExporting the Model

The Problem 3 Weak Market Limits Short-term Redevelopment Opportunities Disinvestment in Stable Neighborhoods Lack of Data and Systems in Place to Respond Quickly Limited Capacity at all Levels Lack of Coordination Between Public, Private, Nonprofit, and Philanthropic Organizations Sudden High Vacancy Rates Accelerated by Foreclosure

Change in Percent Addresses Vacant, Detroit, March ,000 (20%) Addresses Vacant 32,000 In 3.25 years

Campaign Formation Leverage Funding and Expand Intervention Establish Strategic Alliances Identify Leadership, Expertise and Capacity Urgency + Capacity Limitations

The Detroit Campaign Detroit Vacant Property Campaign (DVPC) is an initiative of Detroit LISC, led by CLR, that involves many organizations  Community groups, neighborhood associations  CDC’s, CDAD  Residents  Faith-based organizations  City of Detroit  MSHDA  Next Detroit Neighborhood Initiative  Office of Foreclosure and Response / DEGC  University of Michigan Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning 6

The Goals 7  Move vacant properties back into reuse  Strengthen nonprofits and community organizations  Increase community and public awareness  Help communities lead their own campaigns  Create an environment (i.e., city, county, state legislation and policy) that supports the community’s vacant property efforts and goals

The Structure LISCCLR Coordinated Planning Capacity Building and TA VPLT Advisory Council CLR LISC NDNI MSHDA City CDCs Partners Neighbor Assoc.

The Strategy Coordinated Planning Policy Work and Systems Development Technical Assistance Education and Community Outreach

1) Education & Engagement The Vacant Property Toolboxes (A “how to” and resource guide) Over 2500 copies distributed Community Presentations Publications to Community Members and Residents Dialogue with Residents and Neighborhoods Neighborhood Develops a Vacant Property Strategy Neighborhood Leaders Oversee Own Neighborhood VP Campaign

2) Technical Assistance TA Offerings Community-Based Organizations - Mapping Assistance - Property Ownership and Title Assistance - Vacant Property Strategy Development - Vacant Property Database Assistance - Vacant Property Inventory and Assessment - Survey training for CDCs and organizations - CAPP Mini-Grant Program Partners - NSP Assistance -TA for VP Acquisition and Disposition -VP Planning and Strategy Development -Data Analysis and Trend Tracking -Community Investment Indicator System

3) Policy and Systems Work Create a dialog involving residents and local leaders to raise awareness of community needs EX: The DVPC Policy Brief Suggest solutions to common community vacant property issues EX: The VPRO Serve as a resource and clearinghouse on VP policy and systems EX: The Detroit Land Bank

4) Coordinated Planning VPLT Detroit LISC CLR City of Detroit NDNI State of MI FPR Mission Coordination Vision Leadership The Vacant Property Leadership Team (VPLT):

Accomplishments 14  Served over sixty community based organizations over the course of one year through: Education and outreach General TA Intense TA and planning CAPP mini-grant program  Led community data collection processes in 8 neighborhoods and currently supporting D-ACIS’s citywide data collection project

Accomplishments 15  Developed and distributed over 2,500 Toolbox publications to neighborhoods  Provided specialized TA to partners: City of Detroit Detroit Land Bank Authority Board Office of Foreclosure Prevention and Response Next Detroit Neighborhood Initiative Detroit LISC Detroit Area Community Information System  Recognized as resource to local and national media as well as local and state policymakers

Exporting the Model 16  Exploring partnerships with MSHDA and CEDAM  Statewide Products: VP Legal Team I, Vacant Property Legal Manual, December 2008 VP Legal Team II, Publication on Vacant Land, Municipal Response and Coordinated Development Tools, October 2009 (projected)  TA to Other Cities: Pontiac Vacant Property TA, 2009 Considering Vacant Property TA in 3 other Cities (TBD),

Considerations for Exporting  Campaign must be led by local stakeholders  Requires local capacity through CDC’s, other nonprofits, colleges/universities, and/or local government  Must have both vacant property needs AND evidence of market opportunities to be successful in the long-term  Effective strategy requires collaboration and buy-in among nonprofit, private and public sectors  Success depends on ability to leverage resources from multiple sources

Contact Information Contact Information: Heidi Mucherie, CLR Executive Director x225