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Tricog Land Bank’s Strategy to Combat Blight in Mon Valley

One Community Update
July 25, 2025

Source: www.citizenportal.ai

Crafton Borough is taking significant steps to combat blight and improve community housing through a partnership with the Tricog Land Bank. During the council meeting on July 24, 2025, Anne Lewis, the director of the Tricog Land Bank, presented a comprehensive strategy aimed at addressing the challenges posed by vacant and abandoned properties in the region.

The Tricog Land Bank, established to tackle the issue of blighted properties, has identified that a substantial portion of residents—25% countywide—live within 150 feet of a blighted property. This situation not only affects the aesthetic appeal of neighborhoods but also has a direct financial impact on property owners, with potential value losses ranging from 15% to as much as 33% in communities like Crafton.

Lewis explained that the Land Bank operates as a legal tool that works in conjunction with local code enforcement and other initiatives. It has the authority to take ownership of abandoned properties, clear titles, and ensure they are insurable, making them more attractive to potential buyers. The organization has successfully managed a pipeline of 241 properties, selling 95 and preparing 11 more for closing.

A key aspect of the Land Bank’s approach is its commitment to vetting buyers, ensuring they have the financial means and capability to renovate properties. This includes a unique program that allows for a 90-day bidding period where owner-occupants and responsible developers can compete for properties, promoting homeownership and community investment.

Additionally, the Land Bank has introduced a “Reno Lite” program, which focuses on properties that require minimal renovations to make them habitable. This initiative aims to provide naturally affordable housing options for residents, allowing them to build equity in their homes.

The meeting underscored the importance of these strategies in revitalizing Crafton and surrounding areas, with the Land Bank poised to play a crucial role in transforming blighted properties into valuable community assets. As the borough moves forward, the collaboration with the Tricog Land Bank is expected to yield positive outcomes for residents, enhancing neighborhood stability and property values.

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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