194: Tackling Systemic Vacancy and Building Equity with Kat Guillaume-Delemar

In this episode of the Econ Dev Show, Dane Carlson talks with Kat Guillaume-Delemar, President and CEO of the Center for Community Progress, the nation’s only nonprofit dedicated to fixing the systems that lead to widespread vacant, abandoned, and deteriorated properties. Kat shares how systemic vacancy harms communities — from lowering property values and public health to blocking economic opportunity — and explains how policy reform, land banking, and innovative programs can restore vitality and equity to disinvested neighborhoods. Drawing from her deeply personal journey from poverty and trauma to leadership and advocacy, Kat offers inspiring insights and actionable strategies for economic developers seeking to build stronger, more human-centered communities. Like this show? Please leave us a review here — even one sentence helps! 10 Actionable Takeaways for Economic Developers Shift the language: Avoid stigmatizing terms like "blight" and instead focus on systemic vacancy and its root causes. Educate first: Increase awareness among policymakers, residents, and stakeholders about how vacancy impacts communities and economies. Push for policy reform: Support legislation like the Neighborhood Homes Investment Act to close appraisal gaps and incentivize redevelopment. Leverage land banks: Use land banks as strategic tools to acquire, manage, and repurpose vacant properties based on community priorities. Think beyond economics: Balance the pursuit of economic growth with improving quality of life and social well-being. Humanize your approach: Design strategies that prioritize people and communities over tax rolls and property values alone. Collaborate widely: Work with residents, local leaders, and policymakers to co-create solutions tailored to community needs. Address inequities: Recognize and combat systemic issues like redlining and inequitable appraisal practices that perpetuate vacancy. Champion creative placemaking: Transform vacant lots into community assets -- from affordable housing to green spaces -- that restore neighborhood vitality. Be strategically defiant: Don't shy away from challenging unjust systems; bold advocacy can lead to meaningful change. Special Guest: Kathleen Guillaume-Delemar.