Citizens who own their home and live next to a vacant lot (no structure) are eligible to gain use of the lot through the land bank for 2 years through a lease agreement. This allows immediate use of the lot by the citizen without first working with the BLBA to clear the title, saving time and money for the citizen. At the end of two years, the Birmingham Land Bank can assist the homeowner in clearing title through the land bank’s attorneys so they own the property free and clear of all other interests.

Citizens, non-profits, churches, and other faith-based organizations who live or work in neighborhoods with vacant, tax-delinquent lots are eligible to gain use of the lots in a similar way to the Side-Lot program through a lease agreement for 2 years. This program has been popular with citizens who live across the street or on the same block as vacant, overgrown lots. Churches and non-profits working to remove blight from their surrounding blocks find this program to be very useful. At the end of two years, the Birmingham Land Bank can assist the homeowner in clearing title through the land bank’s attorneys so they own the property free and clear of all other interests.

Adopt-a-lot and Side Lot programs can be utilized as a stepping stone toward purchasing the property by providing a way for the applicant to demonstrate good stewardship while working to secure funds to go through the quiet title process. At the end of the 2-year term, applicants have the option to walk away, obtain a quitclaim deed of the interest held by the Birmingham Land Bank (at no cost) or go through the General Request program to obtain a statutory warranty deed to the property.