2017 VAD Academies: Indianapolis and Hartford

The VAD Academy – short for Vacant, Abandoned, and Deteriorated Properties Training Academy – is a two-day “boot camp” for public, private, nonprofit, and community leaders working on tough property challenges.

In 2017, there are two VAD Academies: Indianapolis, Indiana, and Hartford, Connecticut. The curriculum for each Academy is the same, and you are invited to attend whichever Academy is most convenient for you. Space in each is limited and both are expected to sell out, so register early! Download (PDF) the VAD Academy overview or click here to read more.

What You’ll Learn

Through a mix of interactive classroom sessions and discussion-based group exercises, an expert faculty guides VAD Academy students through these topics:

1. Using Data to Understand Neighborhood Conditions: Understanding the conditions that shape revitalization opportunities and constraints and how to plan accordingly.

2. Property Tax Systems: Reforming tax policies so that they contribute to neighborhood stabilization.

3. Strategic Code Enforcement: Developing code enforcement programs that respond to the varying needs and priorities of different neighborhoods.

4. Rental Regulation: Developing strategies, including registration and licensing programs, to identify and improve rental property conditions.

5. Land Banking: Examining how to use this tool effectively to eliminate properties’ liabilities and return them to productive use.