WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a fresh initiative aimed at addressing blight and fostering community revitalization across the country, U.S. Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) have introduced the Neighborhood Revitalization and Land Banking Act. This bill aspires to bolster public land banks in their quest to acquire and rejuvenate blighted properties, transforming them into commercial, residential, or recreational spaces – a move that could spur local economies and enhance life quality in communities nationwide.
“Land banks are invaluable tools in turning deteriorating properties into community assets,” said Senator Casey. His sentiments echo a broader recognition of how this Act could amplify the work of land banks, rehabilitating derelict and vacant land to maximize a community’s potential and make neighborhoods safer and cleaner.
Reiterating this, Senator Capito said, “Removing blighted, vacant, and abandoned properties is paramount to community revitalization efforts. Land banks are instrumental in acquiring and promoting the reuse and redevelopment of these properties.” The Neighborhood Revitalization and Land Banking Act stands to bolster the success of the rapidly proliferating land banks in West Virginia and beyond.
The Act’s significance extends beyond just the acquisition and redeployment of derelict properties. It also carves out provisions for expanded expertise and research investment in land banking through the Blighted Property Remediation Fellowship Program. This move promises to bring fresh perspectives and strategies to the field, potentially reshaping the way communities approach refurbishment of blighted areas.
Among key provisions, the Act seeks to augment community planning by investing in local property condition data. To this end, a new grant program would be established, enabling land banks and other eligible entities to receive yearly support of $10,000. These funds would aid in monitoring property conditions and creating a comprehensive database for tracking vacant properties.
Additionally, the Act pledges to establish grants for revitalization planning and implementation, aiding land banks in creating a list of blighted properties to target and providing resources to implement these revitalization plans over a 5-year period. This broad umbrella covers a variety of initiatives, including property rehabilitation, demolition, and acquisition, and disposition.
To further bolster land bank expertise, the Act proposes a Blighted Property Remediation Fellowship Program. This would nurture talent within the field, fostering a new generation of experts able to discern, strategize and apply effective land banking techniques.
Moreover, the Act intends to provide direct support to fledgling or under-resourced land banks, offering expert technical assistance as they devise strategic community revitalization plans.
Land banks have seen significant growth over the past decade as a potent economic development tool. Boasting more than 300 branches nationwide, their influence is far-reaching. However, their impact is often constrained by scant resource availability and funding. This legislation could offer a significant boost, pledging federal support under the Department of Housing and Urban Development for land banks, aiding them in their mission to rejuvenate communities.
Heavily endorsed by an array of entities, including the National Association of Counties, the Local Initiatives Support Corporation, and the National Community Reinvestment Coalition, the Neighborhood Revitalization and Land Banking Act sets the stage for a potential nationwide revamp of blighted areas, injecting momentum into the efforts of land banks nationwide. Its implications are far-reaching – and in the eyes of many, a much-needed impetus to the revitalization of our communities.
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