Pathways to Land Tenure
Find out who owns the lot
You find out the lot is publicly owned
Owned by PHA
Contact info?
Owned by PRA, PHDC, DPP
Go to Philly Landworks and fill out an Expression of Interest (EOI)
Get a tracking number
Request goes to angency with the title
Evaluation
Get a letter from your City Council representative
City Planning
Board approval
PRA, DNP: City Council Ordanance
All set!
Lease for up to 5 years
Purchase
Side Lot
For discounted or nominal fee
At market rate
PHDC: All set!
Purchase
Side Lot
For discounted or nominal fee
At market rate
Get a 1-year interum use agreement
You find out the lot is privately owned
Try to find the owner
You found them! Ask the owner for permission. Owners benefit from greening and stewardship
Lease the land. Terms?
Purchase from owner
Ask owner to donate (donor-taker program)
Owner cannot be found. They are deceased or moved away a long time ago. Are there taxes owed? Liens?
Have you been on the lot for 21+ years?
No
Work through the courts
Raise an estate
Is there a structure on the parcel? Look into conservatorship.
Work with your council person
Bring to sheriff's sale
Place initial bid
Bid at sale (10% down) - risk of other bids.
Condemn the parcel
Use courts to get City Ownership
Dedicate for community use
Yes: Explore Adverse Posession
Garden Resources
City Harvest
Garden Tenders
Penn State Extention Master Gardener Program
Build relationships with your neighbors. Listen to them.
Who knows the history of the lot and the neighborhood?
What languages are spoken?
Which groups are already working in the neighborhood?
What other neighborhood assets are there?
Who is interested in getting involved?
Connect with existing groups
Block associations
Churches; faith-based organizations
Community Boards
Collect names, addresses and contact info
Call your first meeting; meet regularly.
Establish a core group
Give yourselves a name.
Identify shared values and write a mission statement.
Share your vision!
Present your plan to your stakeholders
Have larger, open neighborhood meetings to share your progress and get feedback. Your group's idea will change. Be open to it.
Meet with the Community Board, your City Council representative, other community organizations and local government officials.
Build a record of support - get letters of support.
Make a letterhead. Write thank you notes and emails.
Spread the word through: flyers; blogs; social media; etc.
Get some press
Raise money
Prepare to use the space
Decide how the space will be used
Create a garden layout
Plan work parties
Create a crop plan
Who should own the land?
Individual
Garden group
Get liability insurance?