Land Acquisition
Filters
San Francisco, CA streamlines conversion of office spaces into residential units
San Francisco has introduced new building code guidelines aimed at facilitating the conversion of office spaces into residential units downtown. These guidelines are designed to streamline the permitting process and encourage developers to repurpose vacant offices amid a growing housing crisis. The initiative is part of a broader effort to revitalize the downtown area and address the challenges posed by the shift in remote work trends.
San Francisco, CA
United States
San Diego County, CA protects homeowners from title fraud with Owner Alert notification system
The county's Real Estate Fraud Unit reported 38 title fraud cases under investigation in October 2022. Owner Alert is a free service for homeowners concerned about losing their properties to fraudulent title transfers. Subscribers provide their email address, name, and Assessor Parcel Number (APN) for targeted notifications. The county clerk's office emails when documents related to the APN are filed. The system allows up to 10 owner names and APNs per email address.
San Diego County, CA
United States
Bristol City Council, GB converts excess land into affordable housing with Knowle West pilot
Local residents offer portions of their yards to the council with land leased to project partner We Can Make. Each microsite is converted into a single-family home with rents capped at 33% of the average neighborhood income. We Can Make is building two homes as a first stage of the pilot with 14 additional lots allocated for development. Bristol City Council approved the project to address rising rents, limited housing stock, and the loss of young residents to other communities.
Bristol City Council, GB
United Kingdom
Mauá, SP "Minha Casa Legal" program delivers property titles to residents in diverse areas
Mauá City Hall launched the "Minha Casa Legal" program with the goal of regularizing 12,660 households and delivering property titles to residents living in the most diverse areas of the city within four years. The Municipality of Mauá's Department of Housing is conducting the Land Regularization service through a series of steps including topographic surveys, urban planning, social registrations, citizen enrollment, etc.
Mauá, SP
Brazil
Iowa City, IA is purchasing local duplexes and installing sustainable tech for low-income residents
Iowa City’s South District Home Investment Partnership Program is purchasing local duplexes, installing sustainable technologies, and reserving occupancy for low-income residents. The South District Program was created to increase sustainable and affordable housing opportunities in the area. The program has a budget of $35,000 per property which covers the costs for solar panel installations and down payment assistance.
Iowa City, IA
United States
Baltimore, MD approves contract with Tolemi Software for property management system upgrade
Tolemi's Slate software directly connects property information to mapped parcels rather than spreadsheet cells. The city's Department of Housing & Community Development (DHCD) will integrate Slate into its in-house management processes. All data applicable to city-owned parcels are fed into the new system for comprehensive property overviews. Baltimore plans a 2022 release for a public-facing search tool that adds transparency to DHCD acquisitions and sales.
Baltimore, MD
United States
East Baton Rouge, LA considers buying 540 acres of empty land to hold rain runoff and prevent floods
East Baton Rouge is considering buying empty swamps, fields, and woods to hold rain runoff and prevent floods. The city-parish has pooled $45 million in combined federal hazard mitigation and post-2016 recovery dollars to create retention ponds and preserve 540 acres of floodplain areas.
Baton Rouge-East Baton Rouge, LA
United States
Austin, TX uses a Parkland Dedication ordinance to help green spaces grow with the population
The City of Austin's Parks and Recreation Department developed and updated a Parkland dedication ordinance to ensure that parks and green spaces grow with the local population. The ordinance mandates that builders set aside land for a park or pay a fee to be used by the city to acquire land in order to develop park facilities. The ordinance was created to help achieve the city's ongoing goal to maintain 24 acres of parkland per 1,000 residents.
Austin, TX
United States
Hoorn, NH creates incentive program for developers who want to turn shop space into homes
Vacant storefronts and unused spaces above functioning businesses were eligible for the program. Hoorn approved 75,000 euros for the initiative with applications open until funds were exhausted. The incentive program frees limited real estate for development and places homeowners near Hoorn's city center attractions. City officials are considering an expanded version of the program to meet their goal of 500 new homes per year.
Hoorn, NH
Netherlands
Enfield Council, GB created an ethical letting scheme with landlords to help low-income families
Enfield Council's housing company, Enfield Let, created an ethical letting scheme to help families living in temporary accommodations move into the private rented sector. The scheme involves coordinating with landlords to provide families with long-term tenancy by removing the difficult financial barriers. The Council's scheme provides a hassle-free experience for landlords by guaranteeing financial security in exchange for providing security and stability for low-income families.
Enfield Council, GB
United Kingdom
East Suffolk District Council, GB launched the "Public Access Land Charges" online system
East Suffolk District Council launched the "Public Access Land Charges" online system which provides users with a paperless search service. Residents must conduct a local land charges search to review and restrictions or legal obligations related to their property or land before purchasing, leasing, valuing, or re-mortgaging. Users of this new system, which replaces the previous email-based system, can track the progress of a search, pay online, and download documents.
East Suffolk District Council, GB
United Kingdom
Carlisle City Council, GB developed an online housing application service with Planning Portal
Carlisle City Council partnered with Planning Portal to provide an online application service for residents registering for self-build or custom housing. The Council's Local Self-Build and Housebuilding Register notifies users when serviced plots of land receive planning permissions. Eligible applicants must be over the age of 18, a British citizen, and looking to acquire a serviced plot of land in the district in order to build their main residence.
Carlisle City Council, GB
United Kingdom