Development Programs
The Louisville Landbank owns structures and lots across the community, ranging in size and condition, that are available to rehabilitate or develop. The Louisville Landbank offers various programs in order to sell these parcels and place them back into productive use of the neighborhood. Properties can be purchased as part of a single-parcel, small, or large development depending on the applicant’s goal and capacity.
If you are interested in purchasing a parcel from the Louisville Landbank and you reside in the Louisville Metro area, please call Landbank staff at (502) 574-4200 if you have questions. The staff will walk you through every step of purchasing the property under the programs’ guidelines listed below.
Build Back Our Blocks
| Program Goal | Create affordable homeownership opportunities for neighborhood residents to build wealth through new construction. |
|---|---|
| Intended Uses | New residential or commercial construction |
| Eligible Parcels | Vacant lots up to 10,000 square feet with no existing structures |
| Eligible Applicants | Individuals and organizations with plans and capacity to construct new residential or commercial buildings. Preference given to neighborhood residents and those creating homeownership or local business opportunities. |
| Application Process | Applications will be reviewed in the order they are received. Applications and parcel selection will remain open for 7 days after the first submission to allow for competing proposals. Competing applications will be scored per the Scoring Criteria guidelines. |
| Cost |
Note: All properties 10,000 sq ft and above will be offered via the Community Impact Solicitations program. |
| Type of Transaction | Deed |
| Restrictions | Restrictions will include end use, construction timeline, and any approved applicant stating they will be an owner-occupant cannot sell or otherwise transfer the Property for five (5) years from the date of the Deed. At its discretion, the Landbank can assert the Right of First Refusal for any parcel sold under this program. |
| Other Program-Specific Information |
Applicant must provide a project plan including:
|
| Monitoring | Projects will be regularly monitored from date of purchase through construction until completion. Monitoring will include on-site inspections (in addition to required regulatory inspections) and desk reviews (review of LMG databases for permits, violations, etc.). |
| Release of Deed Restrictions | Restrictions may be partially released after rehabilitation is complete and property is occupied per Board-approved project plans. |
Homeowners First
Currently, We Are Not Listing Hof Properties For Sale
The Landbank is collaborating with the Louisville Affordable Housing Trust Fund’s REVERT Program to assist rehabilitation funding for applicants who want to reside in Landbank homes that are located in formally red lined areas. Properties listed through this program will state if the application requirement includes Revert Certified Developers Only.
| Program Goal | Create affordable homeownership opportunities for neighborhood residents to build wealth using existing residential structures. |
|---|---|
| Intended Uses | Residential rehabilitation |
| Eligible Parcels | Existing structures deemed feasible to be rehabilitated and otherwise appropriate for this program by Landbank staff. |
| Eligible Applicants | Individuals committing to reside in property as primary residence for 5 years, organizations/companies committing to create affordable homeownership opportunities. This program is not designed for rentals. |
| Application Process |
|
| Cost | Land value, as determined by the most recent PVA assessment. |
| Type of Transaction | Deed |
| Restrictions | Restrictions will include end use as a primary residence, a 12-month rehab timeline, and Homeowners cannot convey the parcel for five (5) years from the date of their deed. At its discretion, the Landbank can assert the Right of First Refusal for any parcel sold under this program. |
| Other Program-Specific Information |
Applications must include the following:
|
| Monitoring | Projects will be regularly monitored from date of purchase through construction until completion. Monitoring will include on-site inspections (in addition to required regulatory inspections) and desk reviews (review of LMG databases for permits, violations, etc.). Homeowners (direct buyers or end users) will be annually monitored to ensure property continues to be used as primary residence for five (5) years. |
| Release of Deed Restrictions | Restrictions may be partially released after rehabilitation is complete and property is occupied per Board-approved project plans. |
Save Our Structures
| Program Goal | Preserve historic fabric of older neighborhoods by rehabilitating demolition candidates for residential or commercial uses. |
|---|---|
| Intended Uses | Residential or commercial rehabilitation |
| Eligible Parcels | Existing structures deemed demolition candidates by Louisville Metro Government staff. |
| Eligible Applicants | Individuals, nonprofits, or other organizations with proven capacity to complete major rehabilitation on residential or commercial structures. Preference given to neighborhood residents and buyers creating homeownership opportunities. |
| Application Process |
|
| Cost | $1.00 |
| Type of Transaction | Deed |
| Restrictions | Restrictions will include end use as a primary residence, a 12-month rehab timeline, and Homeowners cannot convey the parcel for five (5) years from the date of their deed. At its discretion, the Landbank can assert the Right of First Refusal for any parcel sold under this program. |
| Other Program-Specific Information |
Applications must include the following:
Buyers may enter buildings with appointment after proposal acceptance. |
| Monitoring | Projects will be regularly monitored from date of purchase through construction until completion. Monitoring will include on-site inspections and desk reviews (review of LMG databases for permits, violations, etc.). |
| Release of Deed Restrictions | Restrictions may be partially released after rehabilitation is complete and property is occupied per Board-approved project plans. |
Demo for Deed
| Program Goal | Improve neighborhoods by reducing blighted properties and creating opportunities that achieve the best use for the property. |
|---|---|
| Intended Uses | A blighted property is eliminated and creates an opportunity to achieve the best use for the property. |
| Eligible Parcels |
Note: Any existing structure deemed appropriate for this program by Landbank staff whose parcel square footage is more than 5,000 square feet must be developed once the demolition is complete and will require the Applicant to attach a project plan to their application. |
| Eligible Applicants | Individuals, nonprofits, or other organizations committing to demolish the property using a licensed demolition contractor within 60 days of sale. |
| Application Process | Applications will be reviewed in the order received. Applications and parcel selection will remain open for 7 days after the first submission to allow for competing proposals. Competing applications will be scored per the Scoring Criteria guidelines. |
| Cost | $1.00 |
| Type of Transaction | Deed |
| Restrictions | Restrictions will include a 60-day demolition timeline and may, depending on the historic nature of the property, include new construction restrictions (LMCO 150.110). |
| Other Program-Specific Information |
Applications must include the following:
Notes: Should buyer wish instead to save the structure, a cost estimate and plan from a structural engineer is required along with proof of rehab funds/financing, a 12-month commitment to the timeline, and the intended end use for the structure (Owner-Occupant, sell at Market-Rate, rent at Market-Rate, sell as Affordable Housing, or rent as Affordable Housing). The same documentation is required if the structure is to be demolished and the parcel’s square footage is more than 5,000 square feet. |
| Monitoring |
Projects will be regularly monitored from date of purchase through demolition. Monitoring may include on-site inspections and desk reviews (review of LMG databases for permits, violations, etc.). Once demolition is complete, buyer may request a partial release of Landbank restrictions. Note: If the structure is saved, projects will be monitored per the Save Our Structures program. |
| Release of Deed Restrictions | Will be prepared once monitoring has ceased and property owner is in good standing. |
Development Tiers
Single Development
- End user: Self, Buyer or Renter
- Aquisition Quantity: 1
- Application Process: Standard
- Eligible Programs: Build Back Our Blocks, Demo for Deed, Homeowners First, and Save Our Structures
- Parcel Type: Structure and/or Vacant Lot
- Project Types: Rehab a Structure, Demo for New Construction, or New Construction
Small Development
- End user: Buyer or Renter
- Acquisition Quantity: 2-4
- Application Process: Standard
- Eligible Programs: Build Back Our Blocks, Demo for Deed, Homeowners First, and Save Our Structures
- Parcel Type: Structure and/or Vacant Lot
- Project Types: Rehab a Structure, Demo for New Construction, or New Construction
Large Development
- End user: Buyer or Renter
- Aquisition Quantity: 5+
- Application Process: 2 Step
- Eligible Programs: Build Back Our Blocks, Demo for Deed, Homeowners First, and Save Our Structures
- Parcel Type: Structure and/or Vacant Lot
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Project Types: Rehab a Structure, Demo for New Construction, or New Construction
Once on the interactive Property Portal linked above, please follow these instructions to filter for a building/structure:
- Click on the “FILTERS” tab located at the top of the map.
- Navigate to “Inventory Type”, select “Structure”, and click “Apply”
- If you are interested in any of the properties that pop up, please apply by clicking on that property and clicking “Apply”. At that point, you will be prompted to create an account, which is required before applying for a property/parcel.