The Albany-Dougherty Land Bank is expanding access to homeownership and strengthening neighborhoods by returning tax-delinquent and abandoned properties to productive use, creating pathways for residents to build long-term wealth.

Established in 2017 as an independent authority by the City of Albany and Dougherty County, the Albany-Dougherty Land Bank focuses on affordable housing, blight removal and neighborhood stabilization through strategic property acquisition and redevelopment.

“The primary purpose of the land bank is to return tax-delinquent, underutilized or abandoned properties to productive use,” said Paul Forgey, director of the Albany-Dougherty Land Bank. “Strong neighborhoods and homeownership build stable communities.”

The Land Bank works with properties that go unsold at the annual sheriff’s tax sale, acquiring eligible parcels through a court process that typically takes about eight months. Properties are advertised online, allowing residents, nonprofits and developers to identify opportunities to pursue ownership and reinvestment.

Since its creation, the Land Bank has received 369 applications and conveyed approximately 329 properties. In some cases, the notice process has prompted owners or other stakeholders to pay delinquent taxes, resulting in more than $125,000 returned to local governments. The Land Bank has also cleared 49 nuisance-abatement liens and facilitated the payment of delinquent taxes on 61 parcels.

A key focus of the Land Bank’s work is promoting owner-occupied housing, particularly for low-income and first-time buyers. Homes bought in neighborhoods such as Lincoln Avenue and Madison Street were sold at low cost to residents who became owner-occupants, contributing to stable blocks with high rates of homeownership. In unincorporated Dougherty County, formerly abandoned homes have been rehabilitated and sold to residents who had previously rented, improving property conditions and neighborhood value.

“We’re often able to sell properties at roughly one-third of their tax value,” Forgey said. “That gives people from the community an opportunity to own property, invest locally and begin building wealth.”

The Land Bank also partners with organizations such as Habitat for Humanity to scale homeownership opportunities. In one subdivision, approximately 60 lots acquired by the Land Bank were sold to Habitat for Humanity, which is now building homes in phases alongside private developers constructing starter homes.

The Albany-Dougherty Land Bank is governed by a seven-member board selected for professional experience in real estate, economic development, law and finance. Residents interested in learning more about the Albany-Dougherty Land Bank or viewing available properties can visit albanydoughertylandbank.com.