Sec. 2. Findings
209 words·~1 min read·
/bill/118/hr/2832/ih/section-2A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.
Congress finds the following: Vacant and abandoned properties destabilize rural, suburban, and urban neighborhoods across the United States by creating fire and other public safety hazards, driving down property values, and draining local tax dollars. The cost of repairs to maintain vacant and abandoned properties, as well as the potential unpaid taxes and public liens on vacant and abandoned properties, often exceed the property values of vacant and abandoned properties, driving away purchasers.
The lack of an insurable and marketable title frequently prevents vacant and abandoned properties from returning to productive use. Low-income neighborhoods and communities of color disproportionately bear the burden of living near vacant and abandoned properties and the hazards associated with those properties. Existing property disposition practices frequently prioritize the ease of disposition and maximizing sale prices instead of the needs of communities and homeowners. Land banks— have been developed to respond to the challenges posed by vacant and abandoned properties; and are primarily focused on the return of vacant, abandoned, and tax delinquent properties to productive use in accordance with locally determined goals and priorities.
Land banks, regardless of the location, size of inventory, or duration of existence of a particular land bank, share challenges in accessing best practices, research, technical assistance, and other resources.