Land Bank Program Technical Assistance
Assisting the start-up and organizational development of land banks throughout Illinois
National Council of State Housing Agencies Award for Program Excellence
Vacant and abandoned properties weigh on neighborhoods, tax bases, and local budgets. Land banks give communities a practical tool to take control of these sites and put them back to work for housing, redevelopment, and economic development. Illinois takes a distinct approach, built on intergovernmental cooperation that draws on local knowledge to tackle shared challenges. IHDA selected Teska as one of three technical assistance providers to support the formation and ongoing growth of land banks throughout the state.
Teska completed feasibility studies and budgets for land banks serving the Quad Cities, Kankakee, Two Rivers (Quincy), Central Illinois, South Cook, and Northern Illinois. Beyond start-up, Teska works alongside land bank leadership to build strong organizations, developing land acquisition strategies, training staff and board members, and connecting partners with resources that support long-term success. The result is a growing network of land banks equipped to stabilize neighborhoods and guide redevelopment in their regions.
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One of two IHDA technical assistance providers statewide
Feasibility studies and budgets for six land banks
Coverage from the Quad Cities to South Cook County
Land acquisition strategies
Staff and board trainings
Funding and resource identification
“Teska was critical in working with the Kankakee Regional Land Bank Authority to identify properties and provide the assistance needed to bring these properties back into use.”
SERVICES
Feasibility Studies
Budget Review
Impact Studies
Land Acquisition Strategies
CLIENT
Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA)
PARTNERS
Wrought Iron Partners
Illinois Institute of Rural Affairs