Augusta Landbank Proposes Training Program to Convert Vacant Lots into Homes

The eight-week course aims to transform over 250 empty parcels into single-family homes and duplexes.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 3:39pm

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A high-end, photorealistic studio still-life photograph featuring a collection of polished, geometric objects representing the essential tools and materials needed for a home construction project, such as a hammer, nails, a blueprint, and a small model house. The objects are arranged elegantly on a clean, monochromatic seamless background using sharp, dramatic studio lighting and deep shadows to symbolize the abstract concepts of housing development, urban renewal, and community empowerment.A collection of essential tools and materials for home construction projects symbolizes the Augusta Landbank's efforts to empower community members to transform vacant lots into new housing.Augusta Today

The Augusta Landbank has proposed a new eight-week training program called 'Parcels 2 Portfolio' that could turn more than 250 vacant lots in the city into single-family homes and duplexes. The program will teach participants the essentials of home construction, including contractor hiring, schedule management, and financing, and provide them with access to banking contacts, construction professionals, and investors through the landbank's connections. Graduates of the program will receive a parcel from the landbank's excess properties list to start building on.

Why it matters

This initiative aims to return dormant properties to the tax rolls while creating new housing stock in Augusta, a city that has struggled with vacant and abandoned properties. By providing training and resources to community members, the landbank hopes to empower them to take on home construction projects and address the city's housing needs.

The details

The Parcels 2 Portfolio program will offer weekly online lessons covering project essentials such as contractor hiring, schedule management, and financing. Participants will gain access to banking contacts, construction professionals, and investors through the landbank's connections. Upon completing the training, graduates will receive a parcel from the landbank's excess properties list to start building on. Most of these properties come to the landbank through deaths, code violations, and tax sales, such as the abandoned residence at 1919 First Avenue whose owner passed away six years ago.

  • The landbank pitched the idea for the eight-week training program to its board members last week.
  • The landbank attorney is currently reviewing the plan before the board votes on final approval.
  • The landbank anticipates applications for the program to launch next month.

The players

Shawn Edwards

Brought the idea for the Parcels 2 Portfolio program before the landbank board members.

Augusta Landbank

A local government agency that acquires and manages vacant and abandoned properties in Augusta, Georgia.

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What they’re saying

“We will start a virtual online class to teach those basics that become our conversations at the table. This is what a performer is, this is how you procure your subcontractors, this is how you maintain schedule.”

— Shawn Edwards

“We introduce them to bank partners, we introduce them to builders and developers and investors. As a reward of going through the training we are going to go through our excess parcels list and other possible acquisitions in order to make land available so the project can manifest.”

— Shawn Edwards

What’s next

The landbank attorney is reviewing the plan before the board votes on final approval. If approved, the landbank anticipates applications for the Parcels 2 Portfolio program to launch next month.

The takeaway

This program demonstrates the Augusta Landbank's proactive approach to addressing the city's vacant and abandoned property issues by empowering community members to take on home construction projects. By providing training, resources, and access to land, the landbank aims to transform dormant properties into new housing stock and return them to the tax rolls.