Meet the Team: Austin Bloom, Program Liaison
Meet the Team: Austin Bloom, Program Liaison Read more ›
Opportunity CLE Initiative One of Tops in Nation
The Opportunity CLE initiative promotes federally sanctioned opportunity zones as catalysts in economically distressed areas throughout Cleveland and Cuyahoga County. It has been designated as one of the top 20 such efforts in the nation. Opportunity CLE was created in… Read more ›
Collaboration at its Finest
What was once an old abandoned gas station rife with contamination in Cleveland’s Glenville neighborhood is now a beautiful, sustainable green space thanks to the City of Cleveland, Cuyahoga Land Bank and The Finch Group real estate company.
Want to Work with the Cuyahoga Land Bank?
The Cuyahoga Land Bank works with a diverse group of local contractors in our renovation work. We are always on the lookout for quality contractors that specialize in construction and rehabilitation, including licensed general contractors, sub-contractors and mechanicals. Want to work… Read more ›
Happy Holidays
This year the Cuyahoga Land Bank celebrated its 10th anniversary. It has been an amazing journey! We count it a profound privilege to have worked with so many partners in the profit, non-profit and faith-based community who serve the community… Read more ›
A New Home for the Holidays
The Cuyahoga Land Bank took part in a dedication and prayer service welcoming Star and her three children to their new home in Cleveland last week. Star is a participant of the City Mission’s New Horizons Program, which works with… Read more ›
In-House Renovation Spotlight
We recently completed renovations on this gorgeous Cape Cod in Cleveland’s desirable West Park neighborhood. With our commitment to high quality renovations and unique features for all our in-house renovation projects, it’s no wonder this home was quickly grabbed up by a lucky… Read more ›
Survey Efforts Show Progress
In 2015, Western Reserve Land Conservancy, in collaboration with the City of Cleveland, surveyed every residential, commercial, and industrial parcel in the City – more than 158,854 parcels! That survey captured a snapshot of each property by ranking the current… Read more ›
Honoring a Hero
In November, Fourth District Cleveland Police officers, residents and others gathered to officially dedicate the Officer Derek Owens Memorial Park. The inclusive neighborhood park was built on three vacant lots on Parkview Avenue in Cleveland encompassing the site where Patrol… Read more ›
Thank You for Making an IMPACT!
On behalf of the entire Cuyahoga Land Bank team, I would like to thank everyone for making our 10thanniversary IMPACT! event such a success. On Thursday, October 17, we gathered with nearly 400 of our friends and partners in the… Read more ›
Meet the Team: Caylen Payne
Job Title Demolition Inspector Date of Hire November 2018 Education The University of Akron, Bachelor’s Degree in Geography and Planning; Cleveland State University, Master of Urban Planning Design and Development Describe yourself in three words. Energetic, Passionate, Goofy What motivates… Read more ›
Soldiers Journey Together in Recovery
Friends and supporters of Building Hope in the City (BHITC), a Christian mission organization focused on the renewal of urban Cleveland, gathered on Saturday, June 29 for prayer and dedication of its new faith-based home for soldiers journeying together in… Read more ›
EPA Grant to Help Return Land to Productive Use
The Environmental Protection Agency announced last month the Cuyahoga Land Bank would receive $300,000 in EPA Brownfields funding to assess environmentally unclean industrial and commercial properties in the region. Grants awarded by the EPA’s Brownfield Program provide communities across the… Read more ›
We’re Celebrating 10 Years of IMPACT!
After more than 10,000 acquisitions. On the heels of more than 7,000 demolitions. After facilitating more than 2,100 home renovations … It’s time to celebrate! Mark your calendars now for IMPACT!, a celebration of the Cuyahoga Land Bank’s accomplishments over the… Read more ›
Talk About an Impact!
Community development stakeholders joined local civic leaders and elected officials June 26th to hear the findings of an independent 10-year Cuyahoga Land Bank economic impact study at a press conference and public forum at Cleveland State University’s Maxine Goodman Levin… Read more ›
A Grand Day!
A big crowd of supporters gathered June 11th for the ribbon cutting and official opening of the Greater Cleveland Fisher Houses. A big shout out to the Fisher House Foundation and all those in our community who helped make this… Read more ›
Cuyahoga Land Bank Impacts Economy $1.4 Billion
Over the last 10 years the Cuyahoga Land Bank has had a $1.43 million impact, according to a recent study. The Plain Dealer looks at the organization’s role in restoring property values by demolishing and rehabilitating distressed structures, returning properties to Cuyahoga County’s tax rolls, and bolstering the local economy with the money it has spent and private-sector investments it has spurred. Read more ›
“Housing is essential:” Local nonprofits provide new beginnings with vacant, foreclosed homes
Another aspect of the Cuyahoga Land Bank’s work is rehabilitating distressed properties with the help of community partners, including dozens of local nonprofits. The Plain Dealer explores how these partners work with the Cuyahoga Land Bank to rehabilitate homes and use them to serve their clients. Read more ›
Habitat for Humanity Homeownership Info Session
We’re proud to partner with the Greater Cleveland Habitat for Humanity to offer this homeowner info session on June 26, 2019. Read more ›
Hundreds Walk, Run and Mosey for Habitat
The Cuyahoga Land Bank proudly sponsored and participated in this year’s Habitat for Humanity, Greater Cleveland 5K/1mi Walk/Run/Mosey at Edgewater Park on June 15. More than 425 participates came out to support Habitat Cleveland’s affordable homeownership efforts and enjoy family-friendly, dog-friendly and… Read more ›
CPD Volunteers Getting the Job Done!
Members of the First District Community Relations team are making great progress on the home they are renovating for a mother and her children on Cleveland’s West Side. Read more ›
Creating New Green Spaces
The Western Reserve Land Conservancy, Cleveland Tree Coalition member organizations, and community partners hosted an Arbor Day Block Party in Cleveland’s Slavic Village neighborhood on April 27. Read more ›
Realtor Buys First Home Through Land Bank
With his knowledge of the local market and expertise in negotiations, real estate agent Ryan DeLuca can spot a hidden-gem home with strong potential to grow in value. Read more ›
Rooms to Let: CLE Showcases Creativity
Rooms to Let: CLE returned to the Slavic Village neighborhood in Cleveland Saturday, May 18 and Sunday, May 19. Dozens of artists and makers created a temporary art exhibition using vacant homes slated for demolition as their medium. Slavic Village… Read more ›
Case Study: Place Making: Elizabeth Baptist Church
Elizabeth Baptist Church, a pillar of the Hyacinth neighborhood on Cleveland’s east side, has ministered to the spiritual and physical needs of its congregation for nearly a century. Read more ›
Meet the Team: James McGuire GIS and Research Technician
Meet the Team: James McGuire GIS and Research Technician Read more ›
Fisher Houses Near Completion
We are excited to see the final touches being put on the Greater Cleveland Fisher House apartments. The final phase of the $3 million project has wrapped in preparation of a formal dedication and ribbon cutting in June. The Fisher… Read more ›
By The Numbers
DID YOU KNOW…
Over time, by assembling larger parcels of land for specific, new development or for the purpose of creating green space or urban gardens and farms, the Cuyahoga Land Bank is providing a second life for property that has previously been deemed undesirable by its owners and overlooked as too challenging by developers. Read more ›
Partner Spotlight: Kamm’s Corners Development Corp.
Cleveland’s attractive, family-friendly West Park neighborhood continues to experience increases in home sale prices. However, West Park is not immune to tax delinquent blighted houses. Read more ›
Partner Profile: Court Community Service
Court Community Service (CCS) is a not-for-profit agency that arranges community service work for adult offenders designed as a quality alternative sentencing option responsive to the needs of the courts and the community. Read more ›
Cleveland development corporations buy, flip abandoned homes to improve neighborhoods
Community Development Corporations in Cleveland are buying, renovating and selling vacant homes and making an impact in their neighborhoods. See the NewsChannel 5 story HERE.
NEON Initiative Brings Housing to Veterans
The NEON Veterans Housing and Support Services (NVHSS) celebrated the completion of Phase One of its Veterans Housing Initiative at a ribbon cutting ceremony on July 18th. NEON board members, local government officials, Cuyahoga Land Bank leaders, veterans and neighborhood residents attended… Read more ›
Rooms To Let: CLE Showcases Creativity
On Saturday, May 20th and Sunday, May 21st, thousands of people gathered in Slavic Village for the fourth installation of Rooms To Let: CLE. The event, presented by Slavic Village Development Corporation, temporarily transforms vacant homes – all of which are slated… Read more ›
BRAIN Program Helps Student Take Leap into Home Ownership
“I didn’t see myself as a homeowner,” says April Waltonen, proudly standing in front of her four-bedroom, two-and-a-half bath home in Euclid that she closed on in July of last year. “The minute my daughter and I saw this house,… Read more ›
All in the Neighborhood
Father and Son Team Up to Renovate Vacant House When Michael Rubin Sr. retired from teaching, he dreamt of taking a well-deserved vacation and spending quality time with his wife and family. His plans, though, were put on hold once… Read more ›
Cuyahoga Land Bank Named Semifinalist in Harvard’s 2017 Innovations in American Government Awards Competition
The Cuyahoga Land Bank recently was named a semifinalist in Harvard University’s 2017 Innovations in American Government Awards competition. The Awards are presented annually by The Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation at the John F. Kennedy School of… Read more ›
Senator Rob Portman Visits Women in Recovery
By Alyssa Platek
At the Cuyahoga Land Bank, we are particularly proud of our partnerships that help make a real difference in the communities we serve. One such collaboration is our work with The Woodrow Project, an organization dedicated to providing a safe, stable and supportive environment for women in recovery. Through the Woodrow Project, women in recovery are able to return to healthy and productive lifestyles, and access needed referrals for outpatient treatment, employment and mental health services. Read more ›
Baking up Life Skills
The Discovery Center, a neighborhood child enrichment center that moved into its new home on East 137th Street last year thanks to a partnership between Concerned Citizens Community Council, the Cuyahoga Land Bank and Cleveland City Council, began offering its children’s programming again… Read more ›
Lakewood’s Scenic Park House Project Underway
In our work at the Cuyahoga Land Bank, we are always on the lookout for innovative ways to bring new life to vacant and abandoned property. A new home construction project currently underway in Lakewood surely fits the bill. On May… Read more ›
Glenville Scores Two Wins with One Project
Library Project has Neighborhood and Environmental Impact Cuyahoga Land Bank Key to Collaboration with Cleveland City Council, Cleveland Public Library, Ohio EPA, and Cleveland-Cuyahoga Port Authority Community leaders, neighborhood residents and other stakeholders gathered yesterday in Glenville to celebrate a… Read more ›
Home Owner Feature
Nissim Mashmoor recently moved into his new home in Euclid after participating in the Cuyahoga Land Bank’s Deed-In-Escrow Program. Nissim comments “Because of the Cuyahoga Land Bank, I’m a happy home owner. They have helped me achieve my goal of… Read more ›
Home Owner Feature
Christopher Saddler became a first time home owner when he purchased a Cuyahoga Land Bank property in the City of Garfield Heights. “Because of the Cuyahoga Land Bank, I was able to purchase a residential property for me and my… Read more ›
Cuyahoga Land Bank Homeowner Feature
Willie Bethune recently participated in the Deed-In-Escrow Program and purchased a three bedroom home in the Broadway-Slavic Village neighborhood. Willie shared about his successful purchase and says “It was a really good experience and a great learning experience to be… Read more ›
Did You Know? Purchase and Renovation Programs at the Cuyahoga Land Bank
In the sixth installment of our FAQ video series, we explore programs available for the purchase and renovation of a Cuyahoga Land Bank home. The most popular program is the Deed-in-Escrow Program. An interested buyer is provided with a renovation… Read more ›
Did You Know: How does the Cuyahoga Land Bank get properties into our inventory?
In the fourth installment of a series of Cuyahoga Land Bank FAQ videos, Land Bank President and General Counsel Gus Frangos explains how the Cuyahoga Land Bank acquires properties into our inventory. There are three sources: 1) REO (Real Estate… Read more ›
Did You Know?: What Makes County Land Banks a potent tool?
In the third of a series of Cuyahoga Land Bank FAQ videos, Land Bank President and General Counsel Gus Frangos explains what makes land banks a potent tool. 1) They have the ability to operates as a corporation, which allows… Read more ›
Adam Sywanyk’s Deed-In-Escrow Program Experience: Testimonial
The Cuyahoga Land Bank’s Deed-In-Escrow program makes it possible for individuals to purchase properties in the Cuyahoga Land Bank inventory and renovate them. Listen to Adam talk about his experience with the Deed-In-Escrow Program. You can learn more about the… Read more ›
Cuyahoga Land Bank Deed-in-Escrow Testimonial – Rhonda Derrett (Youtube)
The Cuyahoga Land Bank Deed-in-Escrow program makes it possible for individuals to purchase properties in the Cuyahoga Land Bank inventory and renovate them. Rhonda Derrett, who was renovating a home for her sick father, needed special consideration due to her… Read more ›
Deed-in-Escrow Rehabilitation Program Testimonial: Adam Sywanyk (Youtube)
The Cuyahoga Land Bank Deed-in-Escrow program makes it possible for individuals to purchase properties in the Cuyahoga Land Bank inventory and renovate them. Listen to Adam Sywanyk talk about his experience with the Deed-in-Escrow Program. You can learn more about… Read more ›
Rhonda Derrett’s Deed-in-Escrow Program Experience: Testimonial
The Cuyahoga Land Bank Deed-in-Escrow program makes it possible for individuals to purchase properties in the Cuyahoga Land Bank inventory and renovate them. Rhonda Derrett, who was renovating a home for her sick father, needed special consideration due to her… Read more ›
CuyahogaLand Bank Deed-in-Escrow Program Participant Testimonial (Youtube)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQ75USveGeo&feature=c4-overview&list=UUGJT1EuXZmZjRaaNyYOkU7Q The Cuyahoga Land Bank Deed-in-Ecrow program was created as a way for investors, professional rehabbers and people looking to renovate a Land Bank property to turn it into their dream home to be able to do so. Program participants… Read more ›