Join the MassINC Policy Center for the Reclaiming Vacant Property Conference on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, MA. This important event is dedicated to addressing vacant and distressed properties and exploring innovative solutions for revitalizing neighborhoods. This conference will provide valuable insights for municipalities, developers, and stakeholders interested in using strategic tools to combat blight and promote affordable housing opportunities.
This conference serves as a starting point for cities and towns to gain the knowledge and resources they need to tackle vacant properties in their communities. Whether you’re facing challenges related to code violations or tax title issues, this event will outline practical solutions and highlight recent legal updates and tools, such as amendments to Massachusetts laws related to receivership and tax title foreclosure. Specifically:
- Receivership: Learn how the recently amended receivership statute can be used to repurpose vacant, distressed properties into affordable homeownership opportunities. This model, piloted in Western Massachusetts, provides an effective way to reduce blight and foster neighborhood revitalization.
- Tax Title: Discover the recent changes to Massachusetts’ property tax foreclosure laws in response to a U.S. Supreme Court decision that impacted tax foreclosure systems. Learn how municipalities can leverage these changes to deal with vacant, distressed properties in their community.
Don’t miss this chance to learn from experts, connect with peers, and gain the resources you need to make a real difference in your community.
Do you have a question for our panelists?
We want to hear from you. Submit your questions to help guide the conversation during the event. Your input will also help us provide the most relevant follow-up resources and support after the conference.
- Welcome
- Joe Kriesberg – CEO of MassINC
- Alison Mathias – Head of Community Responsibility Strategy, MassMutual and Vice President of the MassMutual Foundation
- Keynote
- Sec. Ed Augustus – Executive Office of Housing & Livable Communities
- Presentation | Strategic Code Enforcement and Cross-Sector Collaboration
- Steve Barlow & Danny Schaffzin – Co-Founders of the Strategic Code Enforcement Management Agency (SCEMA)
- Panel | Developments in Receivership and Tax-Taking
- Dina Fein – MassINC Torres Sr. Fellow and Retired Housing Court Judge
- Amber Villa – Chief of the Neighborhood Renewal Division, Attorney General’s Office
- Gerry McCafferty – Director, Office of Housing, City of Springfield
- Lunch and Remarks – Mayor Domenic Sarno of Springfield
- Panel | Programs to Help Finance Your Projects
- Beverly Estes-Smargiassi – Neighborhood Stabilization Program Manager, MassHousing
- Carolyn Valli – CEO of Central Berkshires Habitat for Humanity
- John Gilbert – Real Estate Development Project Manager, Way Finders
- Josh Amaral – Director of Housing and Community Development, City of New Bedford
- Closing
This year’s conference is presented in partnership with the MassMutual Foundation and co-sponsored by the Massachusetts Association of Community Development Corporations (MACDC), Citizens’ Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA), MassHousing, and Massachusetts Housing Partnership (MHP).