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Land Bank Approves Lot Transfers to City of Topeka for Affordable Housing

One Community Update
June 26, 2024

Source: www.wibw.com

Several vacant lots in Topeka have been made available for affordable housing development, thanks to action Tuesday by the city’s Land Bank board of trustees.

City officials said the board voted Tuesday to transfer five lots in the capital city to the Land Bank, with the goal of transforming vacant and blighted properties into affordable housing.

In 2023, officials said, the city’s Governing Body voted to set aside $500,000 for a three-year land bank pilot program. With Tuesday’s approval by the board of trustees to transfer the five lots to the land bank, city officials said, the process is moving forward.

The five approved lots already were owned by the city. However, officials said, they needed to be formally added to the land bank to allow the city to place them for sale, officials said.

“We understand that this initiative alone will not solve our housing shortage, but it is a vital pillar that supports the other initiatives and efforts led by the city of Topeka and our economic development organizations,” said Manny Herron, land bank board member and founder of IPG Building Co. “Together, these efforts will drive comprehensive and sustainable growth in our housing market.”

Developers that are interested in purchasing property from the land bank can view available parcels on the city’s public map portal.

After finding a property, they will need to submit the proper application materials to the Land Bank’s board of trustees to be considered for selection.

Properties also can be donated to the land bank. Those interested in donating a property to the land bank will need to submit the proper application materials, and then undergo an inspection process on the property.

After submissions have been reviewed, the board of trustees will select applicants for the program.

“We eagerly anticipate the innovative responses from developers and their contributions to increasing access to quality housing,” Herron said. “This initiative is more than just a project — it is a testament to our dedication to seeing Topeka thrive.

“I look forward to witnessing the positive impact this program will have on our city and its future.”

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CEO

Alan Jaffa

Alan Jaffa is the Chief Executive Officer for Safeguard Properties, steering the company as the mortgage field services industry leader. He also serves on the board of advisors for SCG Partners, a middle-market private equity fund focused on diversifying and expanding Safeguard Properties’ business model into complimentary markets.

Alan joined Safeguard in 1995, learning the business from the ground up. He was promoted to Chief Operating Officer in 2002, and was named CEO in May 2010. His hands-on experience has given him unique insights as a leader to innovate, improve and strengthen Safeguard’s processes to assure that the company adheres to the highest standards of quality and customer service.

Under Alan’s leadership, Safeguard has grown significantly with strategies that have included new and expanded services, technology investments that deliver higher quality and greater efficiency to clients, and strategic acquisitions. He takes a team approach to process improvement, involving staff at all levels of the organization to address issues, brainstorm solutions, and identify new and better ways to serve clients.

In 2008, Alan was recognized by Crain’s Cleveland Business in its annual “40-Under-40” profile of young leaders. He also was named a NEO Ernst & Young Entrepreneur Of The Year® Award finalist in 2013.

Esq., General Counsel and EVP

Linda Erkkila

Linda Erkkila is the General Counsel and Executive Vice President for Safeguard Properties, with oversight of legal, human resources, training, and compliance. Linda’s broad scope of oversight covers regulatory issues that impact Safeguard’s operations, risk mitigation, strategic planning, human resources and training initiatives, compliance, insurance, litigation and claims management, and counsel related to mergers, acquisition and joint ventures.

Linda assures that Safeguard’s strategic initiatives align with its resources, leverage opportunities across the company, and contemplate compliance mandates. She has practiced law for 25 years and her experience, both as outside and in-house counsel, covers a wide range of corporate matters, including regulatory disclosure, corporate governance compliance, risk assessment, compensation and benefits, litigation management, and mergers and acquisitions.

Linda earned her JD at Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. She holds a degree in economics from Miami University and an MBA. Linda was previously named as both a “Woman of Influence” by HousingWire and as a “Leading Lady” by MReport.

COO

Michael Greenbaum

Michael Greenbaum is the Chief Operating Officer of Safeguard Properties, where he has played a pivotal role since joining the company in July 2010. Initially brought on as Vice President of REO, Mike’s exceptional leadership and strategic vision quickly propelled him to Vice President of Operations in 2013, and ultimately to COO in 2015. Over his 14-year tenure at Safeguard, Mike has been instrumental in driving change and fostering innovation within the Property Preservation sector, consistently delivering excellence and becoming a trusted partner to clients and investors.

A distinguished graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, Mike earned a degree in Quantitative Economics. Following his graduation, he served in the U.S. Army’s Ordnance Branch, where he specialized in supply chain management. Before his tenure at Safeguard, Mike honed his expertise by managing global supply chains for 13 years, leveraging his military and civilian experience to lead with precision and efficacy.

CFO

Joe Iafigliola

Joe Iafigliola is the Chief Financial Officer for Safeguard Properties. Joe is responsible for the Control, Quality Assurance, Business Development, Marketing, Accounting, and Information Security departments. At the core of his responsibilities is the drive to ensure that Safeguard’s focus remains rooted in Customer Service = Resolution. Through his executive leadership role, he actively supports SGPNOW.com, an on-demand service geared towards real estate and property management professionals as well as individual home owners in need of inspection and property preservation services. Joe is also an integral force behind Compliance Connections, a branch of Safeguard Properties that allows code enforcement professionals to report violations at properties that can then be addressed by the Safeguard vendor network. Compliance Connections also researches and shares vacant property ordinance information with Safeguard clients.

Joe has an MBA from The Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western Reserve University, is a Certified Management Accountant (CMA), and holds a bachelor’s degree from The Ohio State University’s Honors Accounting program.

Business Development

Carrie Tackett

Business Development Safeguard Properties