Smart Growth America

Support the 2009 Regeneration Act

55 of our largest cities have lost between 15 percent to nearly one-third of their populations over the last few decades. Long-term population loss and economic decline have devastated many older cities and towns, causing widespread housing vacancy and abandonment. Vacant properties don’t just hit government resources in the pocketbook — they make neighborhoods less safe and livable for the people who continue to call them home. They drain the equity built up by individuals that allow them to send their children to college, build toward a secure retirement, and invest in the local economy. Vacant, abandoned buildings and lots also give residents one more reason to leave older, established cities or suburbs for newer neighborhoods on the edge.

With this Regeneration Act, local governments will have the ability to create the systems and tools they need to make their communities strong, vibrant, and healthy.

Read the letter below and click submit to send this message to your representative and senators, asking them to support the Community Regeneration, Sustainability, and Innovation Act of 2009 by becoming a co-sponsor today.

February 09, 2010

Subject:

Dear Decision Maker,

As your constituent, I’m writing to urge you to co-sponsor the Community Regeneration, Sustainability, and Innovation Act of 2009. The recent foreclosure and economic crises have highlighted the detrimental impact that vacant and abandoned properties have on neighborhoods and families throughout the country. Many older American cities have been facing these challenges for decades, where vacant and abandoned properties have led to dangerous neighborhoods, drained municipal budgets, decreased tax revenues, and lower property values for the residents who remain in the neighborhood. Vacant properties are often used for illicit or dangerous activities, further causing fear for residents who want to stay in their homes. The Community Regeneration, Sustainability, and Innovation Act introduced in the House (H.R. 932) by Reps. Tim Ryan (OH) and Brian Higgins (NY), and in the Senate (S.453) by Senators Chuck Schumer (NY) and Sherrod Brown (OH) would create a pilot program with a dedicated funding source under the Department of Housing and Urban Development to give the local governments who struggle with long-term population loss and vacancy the tools they need to prevent, manage, and reclaim vacant or abandoned properties — and improve entire communities along the way. This program would meet an urgent demand for resources and solutions to help confront this challenging issue. Please help empower local governments to make the important changes they need to create better communities for their citizens. Sincerely,
We will add your signature from the information you provide.

First Name*

Last Name*

Email*

Street*

Street 2

City*

State/Province*

Zip/Postal Code*

Send an Email

By clicking the button below, you are sending an urgent message to your Representative and Senators and are joining the Smart Growth America team. We will keep you updated with critical action alerts so you will never miss an opportunity to take action to get America moving again. Your privacy is important to us, so we won't sell or share your contact information with other organizations.