“Vacant Syracuse houses will be transformed into bright spots using kids’ art”

“The Syracuse Land Bank, which owns 800 vacant properties, will be putting kids’ art in the windows of rundown houses they walk by daily on their way to school.”

(Marnie Eisenstadt, syracuse.com, March 2, 2017)

“Affordable Homes: Buyers purchase vacant properties and restore them to usable form”

This article tells the story of several families who have purchased Land Bank homes over the past few years – some directly from the Land Bank and others fixed up with grant funds by Home HeadQuarters.

(By Jasmine Gomez, The Stand, January 30, 2017)

“Nearby home abandoned, not kept up? CNY town to take aggressive tactic: seizing it”

The Greater Syracuse Land Bank plans to partner with the Town of Dewitt to acquire “zombie properties” in order to return them to productive use.

(By Elizabeth Doran, syracuse.com, January 25, 2017)

“Syracuse Land Bank looking to sell seized and renovated rental properties to neighbors”

(By Alex Dunbar, CNYCentral.com, 1/17/17)

“Syracuse Land Bank addresses lead in homes, zombie properties in DeWitt”

(By Tom Magnarelli, WRVO, 1/18/17)

“Syracuse Land Bank reaches milestone, sells 400th home in the city”

(WSYR, Published 1/17/17)

“Land Bank Sells 400th Property, Continues to Put Vacant and Abandoned Properties Back into Use”

(By Scott Willis, WAER, January 17, 2017)

“Greater Syracuse Land Bank on WCNY’s “Insight””

Katelyn Wright, the Greater Syracuse Land Bank’s executive director, and Paul Driscoll, the City’s Commissioner of Neighborhood & Business Development, were interviewed on the December 9, 2016 episode of WCNY’s “Insight.” This episode features an interview with Rihine D. Hinds, a local electrical contractor who purchased 236 Hillsdale Ave. from the Land Bank in March 2016.  Mr. Hinds purchased this house to renovate for him and his family and this segment highlights his experience buying from the Land Bank and their renovation project in-progress.

(Episode Aired December 9, 2016)

“NYS will use $20M in bank settlements to fund land banks”

The Greater Syracuse Land Bank has received nearly $5 million to date in mortgage settlement funds granted by the Office of NY Attorney General Eric Schneiderman.  We have used these funds to renovate 68 homes for sale to owner-occupants, in partnership with Home HeadQuarters and the Onondaga County Community Development Program, and to demolish 43 blighted structures. We are eager to continue our partnership with the AG’s office to address blighted and abandoned properties that are dragging down property values and negatively impacting quality of life for surrounding neighbors.

“The state is making available $20 million to cities like Syracuse to continue operating land banks…

Schneiderman’s office has spent more than $30 million since 2013 to fund 10 land banks, not including today’s $20 million.

The new funding comes on the heels of a report from the Schneiderman’s office outlining land banks’ successes.

According to the report, Syracuse’s land bank has been the most active, acquiring more than 1,000 properties and reselling more than 400. That’s more than half of the 1,995 properties acquired by land banks statewide.

Syracuse has also received the most state money — nearly $5 million.

“The Syracuse Land Bank has made a demonstrable difference in the City of Syracuse,” said Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner. “Where neighborhoods once had blight, they now have hope. I appreciate the work of the staff of the Syracuse Land Bank and the commitment of Attorney General Eric Schneiderman to supporting the quality of life in cities across New York.””

(Chris Baker, Syracuse.com, November 2, 2016)