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Nassaure, J.I., VanWieren, R., Wang, Z., and Kahn, D. 2008. "Vacant Land as a Natural Asset: Enduring Land Values Created by Care and Ownership." Genesee Institute, Flint, MI. "Vacant land can be managed to create enduring environmental values. This project analyzed vacant properties managed by the Genesee County Land Bank Authority (GCLBA) to show how they can be managed to achieve inviting neighborhoods and to protect and build long-term ecosystem services. The project marries the intrinsic strengths of Genesee County - especially its water resources - with its immediate strengths: citizens' engagement and sense of ownership in their own neighborhoods. It takes these strengths one step further by showing how to create enduring value on vacant land by encouraging community engagement in the care and environmental stewardship of vacant property. To achieve these goals, this report suggests that the GCLBA manage its properties across three times frames: NOW - FOR MAINTENANCE. With primary concern for maintaining property in cost-efficient ways that enhance neighborhood appeal while protecting ecosystem services. TRANSFORMATION - AS A RIPENING AMENITY FOR THE FUTURE. Using the locations of the more than 4000 GCLBA properties across the county as an opportunity to create more attractive neighborhoods and environmentally beneficial landscape patterns for the future. FUTURE - AS LAND USE TYPES. Identifying future land uses and landscape characteristics of GCLBA properties to enhance the value of surrounding properties as well as enhance ecosystem services for the entire community."

Griswold, Nigel G., and Patricia E. Norris (2007). "Economic Impacts of Residential Property Abandonment and the Genesee County Land Bank in Flint, Michigan." The MSU Land Policy Institute. Available at http://www.smartgrowth.umd.edu/pdf/BestThesisAward2007PDF.pdf Summary: "This study documents work by the Genesee County Land Bank (GCLB) to alleviate the burden of abandoned and tax-foreclosed properties in the City of Flint, Michigan. The costs of property abandonment and direct and indirect effects of GCLB programs are estimated. Results suggest that abandoned housing does indeed have a negative impact on the values of houses in close proximity and that GCLB programs ameliorate these negative impacts."

Nassauer, Joan Iverson and Rebekah VanWieren. 2008. "Vacant Property Now & Tomorrow: Building Enduring Values with Natural Assets." Genesee Institute, Flint MI. This is a special report for Genessee County Land Bank on how to strategically green vacant properties. It provides a strategic framework for short-, medium-, and long-term use following principles of ecological land use design. The report also provides seven reuse typologies spanning open space and habitat to urban parks and neighborhood gateways.

Madar, Josiah, Been, Vicki, and Amy Armstrong. "Transforming Foreclosed Properties into Community Assets." NYU Furman Center for Real Estate and Urban Policy, 2009. The report reviews the main issues discussed at a roundtable hosted by the Furman Center and supported by the Ford Foundation on May 2, 2008. It describes market issues for foreclosed properties, as well as opportunities for purchasing, reselling, and rehabilitating foreclosed properties. Additionally, the paper includes case studies that describe successful strategies that have been employed by various cities and local governments.