The city of Detroit has well over 40,000 abandoned and vacant properties. Abandoned properties and vacant land are detriments to communities. Vacant properties reduce property values in surrounding areas, depress property tax revenues, and create significant public safety hazards.

MOSES declared the need for land banks in 2001. MOSES relentless advocating resulted in the passage of Michigan land bank legislation in December of 2003. MOSES continued to fight for land banks, and the establishment of the Wayne County land bank authority in 2006 paved the way for the Detroit land bank authority approval by the city council today, July 29, 2008!