Working for Blightfree Communities

A Nonprofit Corporation Dedicated to Removing Vacant, Abandoned and Deteriorated properties throughout PA.

Our Vision - Thriving Communities

In our vision, residents and families of communities will never have to contend with abandoned buildings or vacant lots that create dangerous conditions and illegal activity. We solve these problems using a powerful law known as Act 135, which we deploy responsibly to remove Vacant, Abandoned and Deteriorated (VAD) properties and get properties back into productive use. Take a look around your community - there are likely properties needing attention. As you notice them, keep in mind that there is a resource to help - The Community Preservation Alliance. Send those addresses to us using the form below.

All submissions are confidential. We do not use your email or other contact details for anything other than keeping you informed about our efforts to make your community BlightFree.

If you want us to contact you please provide an email address or phone number. You can also call us directly at (267) 908-4015.

Vacant + Abandoned + Deteriorated (VAD) = blight

According to the Dictionary

A deteriorated condition
Something that impairs or destroys
Something that frustrates plans or hopes

According to Real Life

While there are many definitions Vacant, Abandoned, and Deteriorated (VAD) properties or "Blight," we are concerned with only one - The creeping decay of property that over time destroys communities by degrading the area, fostering prohibited activities and creating dangers to those who live and work nearby.

In our experience, nearly every community has some level of VAD property, whether it is from neglect, economic abandonment, or other factors. Whatever the cause, VAD properties cause a general decline in a community's standard of living and the quality of life of its residents and stakeholders.

We present below a primer on how to recognize VAD property in your community. Feel free to contact us to discuss any properties in your community.

Removing VAD Properties

We have been taking on VAD properties since 2006. During that time, we have developed a number of effective strategies that result in these problem properties being cleaned up, renovated, or otherwise repurposed into productive, occupied spaces that contribute meaningfully to their blocks, communities and neighborhoods. In fact, the current value of properties that we made BlightFree is now more than $15 million!

There are a number of causes of blight, including death of the owner with no apparent family, abandonment for economic reasons, tangled titles, and a host of others. We are experienced at identifying the root cause of the problem, and sorting through the available options, which may include legal action, contacting heirs or other parties with interests.

No More VAD Property

How We're Helping

We are a nonprofit organization making communities stronger by removing VAD properties. With the help of our community partners, residents, and staff, we identify properties that are VAD, and employ research, legal and other methods to return the property to productive use.

Get Involved

How We're Helping

Is there an eyesore in your neighborhood that's dangerous, vacant, abandoned, deteriorated? Let us know! Our mission is to restore neighborhoods by removing these problem properties. We'll find a way to help that best suits you. Submit the address confidentially here.

Submit Address

Thank You

How We're Helping

Thank You

Whether you help by identifying vacant, abandoned and deteriorated properties, volunteering your time, or spreading our mission through word-of-mouth, Thank you! We couldn't accomplish our goals without the help of supporters like you!

Act 135

Pennsylvania's Conservatorship Law - Act 135

Pennsylvania and other states have enacted laws to allow certain parties the ability to remove blight, called conservatorship laws. Commonly known as Act 135, Pennsylvania's law is a powerful tool to eliminate blight, and is one of the many methods that the Community Preservation Alliance employs. Unlike other tactics, Act 135 has a carefully described definition of blight. See below for Act 135's definition of blight.

Conditions of Blight - All of These

For Act 135 legal proceedings, very specific indicators of blight must be met. First, a property must meet all of the following four criteria in order to classify as blighted. The property:

Has been vacant for at least the prior twelve months
Has not been listed for sale during the last sixty days
Has not been sold during the last six months
Is not in foreclosure

In Addition, Three of the Following

The Property is:

A public nuisance.
In need of substantial rehabilitation, no rehabilitation during the previous 12 months.
Unfit for human habitation, occupancy or use.
Vacant in such a manner as to have an increased risk of fire to the building.
Subject to unauthorized entry leading to potential health and safety hazards and the owner has failed to secure it.
An attractive nuisance to children, such as an unsafe structure, basement, or excavation.
Subject to vermin, the accumulation of debris, uncut vegetation or physical deterioration of the structure or grounds creating potential health and safety hazards, and the owner has failed to take measures to remove the hazards.
Dilapidated in appearance, negatively affecting the economic well-being of residents and businesses in close proximity, including decreases in property value and loss of business, which the owner has failed to remedy.
An attractive nuisance for illicit purposes, including prostitution, drug use and vagrancy.

What Can You Do?

If you see VAD properties in your neighborhood, let us know. We appreciate your efforts to create BlightFree communities!

Submit Address

What to Do About Blight?

We've Seen - and Solved - All Kinds of Blight

There is no single solution t the many causes of blight currently plaguing communities. In our experience, we have identified a number of strategies that can be successful in reversing blight. We conduct extensive research, and carefully assess the best way to approach each situation.

The Solution Starts With Knowledge

Since the situations leading to blight are so varied and numerous, the first step is identifying the blight and understanding the circumstances leading to its condition. This is where you can help by submitting addresses of properties that blight the community.

Act 135 Frequently Asked Questions

What is Act 135?

Who Can Bring An Action?

The Abandoned and Blighted Property Conservatorship Act, often referred to as Act 135, is a Pennsylvania law that provides a mechanism for interested parties to address the problems associated with properties that are neglected and detrimentally affecting their communities.

Who Can Bring An Action?

The Act allows for interested parties, called Petitioners, to petition the Court for the appointment of a Conservator. Anyone living or operating a business near a blighted property can be a Petitioner.

What is a Conservator ?

Who Can Bring An Action?

Does a Petitioner Have Any Obligations?

A Conservator is a third party appointed by the Court to take control of a blighted property to make repairs necessary to return the property to productive use. When appointed by the Court, a Conservator is granted both the power and the responsibility for removing blight.

Does a Petitioner Have Any Obligations?

Other than assisting the Conservator with beginning an action, there are none. The Petitioner benefits by having the neighborhood eyesore rehabilitated into productive, occupied property.

What is the CPA?

Does a Petitioner Have Any Obligations?

How Can I Get Involved?

The Community Preservation Alliance is a nonprofit organization making communities stronger by removing blight. With the help of community partners and residents, we identify properties that are blighted, and employ Act 135 and other methods to return the properties to productive use.

Submit Address

How Can I Get Involved?

Does a Petitioner Have Any Obligations?

How Can I Get Involved?

If there is a VAD property on your block, let us know! You can submit the address, confidentially, by clicking the "Submit Address" button below. All contact is kept confidential. If you'd like to discuss it with us personally, give us a call at

(267) 908-4015.

Working for Blightfree Communities

Our Vision - Thriving Communities

Vacant + Abandoned + Deteriorated (VAD) = blight

According to the Dictionary

According to Real Life

Removing VAD Properties

No More VAD Property

How We're Helping

How We're Helping

How We're Helping

Get Involved

How We're Helping

How We're Helping

Thank You

How We're Helping

Thank You

Act 135

Pennsylvania's Conservatorship Law - Act 135

Conditions of Blight - All of These

In Addition, Three of the Following

What Can You Do?

What to Do About Blight?

We've Seen - and Solved - All Kinds of Blight

The Solution Starts With Knowledge

HELP US

Additional Information

Learn More

Act 135 Frequently Asked Questions

What is Act 135?

Who Can Bring An Action?

Who Can Bring An Action?

Who Can Bring An Action?

Who Can Bring An Action?

Who Can Bring An Action?

What is a Conservator ?

Who Can Bring An Action?

Does a Petitioner Have Any Obligations?

Does a Petitioner Have Any Obligations?

Does a Petitioner Have Any Obligations?

Does a Petitioner Have Any Obligations?

What is the CPA?

Does a Petitioner Have Any Obligations?

How Can I Get Involved?

How Can I Get Involved?

Does a Petitioner Have Any Obligations?

How Can I Get Involved?

Fight the Blight!

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