This session will provide fundamental knowledge on how land banks can be used to acquire, maintain and transform problem property. Learn how to partner with the Houston Land Bank to raise project capital, create reinvestment opportunities and revitalize your community. Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how partnerships with land banks can support community-driven development.
Learning Objectives :
Learn how to bank land with the Houston Land Bank
How to access land programs for environmental research
Utilize the land bank fund management and subsidized property programs
How to Leverage Land Banking to Drive Responsible Development
Course Description
Christa Stoneham is a community development professional with over 15 years of experience. She serves as the Chief Executive Officer and President of the Houston Land Bank (HLB). As a graduate of the only community development program in Texas and having a decade of consistent work within municipalities, Christa has honed her experiences to include: a strong understanding of government processes and procedures; establishing rapport and relationships that lead to strong collaborations with partners; fundraising for sustainable impact projects; procuring resources that help expand access and equity; and enhancing communication and connection with disengaged, underserved and under-resourced communities. Ms. Stoneham understands and implements the leadership and stewardship needed to maximize neighborhoods' full potential.
The Houston Land Bank mission is to strategically acquire, dispose, and steward vacant, abandoned, and damaged properties into
productive use and to catalyze transformative community and economic development for the City of Houston.
Lindsey Williams is the Director of Community development for the Houston Land Bank. With a diverse project management background and over a decade of experience in the architecture and construction industry, she combines her knowledge of the built environment with her passion for community-engaged design to implement development projects and programming in Houston's most underserved communities. Williams formerly served as a Senior Planner with the City of Houston for Mayor Sylvester Turner's Complete Community initiative. Notable highlights during this time include leading the City of Houston's community engagement and negotiations partnership efforts to create the first-of-its-kind community benefits agreement with Rice Management Company for the Innovation District, totaling $15.3 million in direct investments, community partnerships, and accountability for many community benefit investments.
