The Uplands Regional Land Bank Creates Housing Opportunities for Middle-Income Families in Southern Indiana

LOOGOOTEE, Ind. (Jan. 05, 2026)— With three properties currently for sale, the Uplands Regional Land Bank is creating workforce housing opportunities and continues to make significant progress to revitalize communities through strategic property redevelopment, collaboration, and community investment for six counties in southern Indiana. 

Founded in 2023, the URLB is a regional organization serving Crawford, Daviess, Greene, Lawrence, Martin, and Orange counties. Its mission is to restore and repurpose vacant, abandoned, and deteriorated properties to address housing needs and encourage economic growth and positive change in the area.

“As someone who has lived in Martin County for years, it has become increasingly apparent that finding housing to serve current or prospective middle-income families and individuals in our region is getting more and more difficult,” said Bobbie Abel, director of the Uplands Regional Land Bank. “Our organization provides a new resource for local residents, contractors, and elected officials to utilize in finding a solution to housing concerns, particularly when it comes to the need to develop workforce housing.” 

The URLB is continually searching for new properties to redevelop, and it plans to have more properties available in the first quarter of 2026 to add to its current listings in Jasonville, Lyons and Marengo. In fall of 2025, the URLB  sold a property in Washington to first-time home buyers. In this first property sold by the organization, the buyers decided to renovate the property— with bathroom renovations, flooring and other improvements underway and set to be completed later this year. The Land Bank’s most recent sale occurred in November 2025 with the closing of its Bedford property.

“Purchasing a Land Bank property was a smooth and straightforward experience,” said M. Stone, buyer of the Bedford property. She went on to describe how the URLB assisted her along the way, saying, “The process was well-organized, communication was clear, and closing was easy.”

The Bedford property will be under renovation throughout the year, and is projected to be completed by the end of 2026. When selling properties, the URLB seeks qualified buyers who align with its mission of community development.

“As a nonprofit organization, the Uplands Regional Land Bank is essential in creating housing resources to those in our community,” said Bob Grewe, Executive Director of the Daviess County Economic Development Corporation, when asked about its role in Daviess County. He continued, “In rural counties like ours, one of the biggest challenges we face is providing enough housing, especially at a reasonable price, for residents. Finding new resources to meet those needs is an essential step toward providing for current residents, attracting new residents, and preparing for growth as economic activities in the region increase.”  

Beyond property redevelopment, the URLB continues to build partnerships that strengthen local economies and support long-term community growth. It is seeking additional service provider partners such as construction firms, lawn care companies and demolition contractors.

“Revitalizing southern Indiana takes collaboration — not just between counties, but across sectors,” said Abel. “By working together with financial institutions, contractors, local governments, and community organizations, we can turn underused properties into lasting community assets.”

To sell, donate, or buy a property from the Uplands Regional Land Bank or to learn about partnership or contracting opportunities, visit www.urlandbank.com or follow the organization on Facebook. 

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The Uplands Regional Land Bank (URLB) is a nonprofit organization formed in 2023 after being selected to receive $1.25 million in Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI 1.0) funds by the Indiana Uplands READI Steering Committee and approved by the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC). The URLB aims to better the communities in Crawford, Daviess, Greene, Lawrence, Martin, and Orange counties by acquiring vacant, abandoned, and deteriorated properties, repurposing them in a manner consistent with community values and needs.