This week, officials from five New Jersey cities will attend a training and technical assistance seminar at Harvard University, conducted by The Center for Community Progress and the Cambridge Leadership Association ("NJ Officials to Attend Housing Conference at Harvard University"). Officials from four states were invited to join the meeting, which is aimed at addressing the effective and productive reuse of vacant and abandoned properties. The New Jersey cities — Newark, Jersey City, Orange, Irvington, and Millville — were selected due to their commitment to neighborhood revitalization strategies, and the affirmative steps they have taken to improve their communities.
The conference will offer training and technical assistance on a variety of land reform concepts, including specific strategies that will allow state and local officials to redevelop abandoned properties, with a specific focus on the leadership roles that these officials must play in the process. After the conference, staff from The Center for Community Progress will visit each city to work with local leaders to help implement the ideas discussed at the conference.
Pete's Take 