The CFPB's new head must unequivocally stand with low-income communities of color and restore public trust.
The Mission: End Childhood Lead Poisoning in Rochester
In the 1990s, Rochester, New York, had an alarmingly large number of children who had elevated lead levels in their blood. Decades later, the rate has decreased by 85 percent. This is how a local coalition made it happen.
Don’t Dump on Us
If it were not acceptable for anyone to suffer from substandard housing or the problems of disinvested neighborhoods, then many of the public health issues facing us would be automatically reduced.
A Community Planning Process–Even A Good One–Is Not Enough
Just the inherent language of community “transformation” signals that what has come before is not worth holding on to, and renders the history of these public housing sites insignificant. Knowing this, our challenge is not to envision “transformed” communities, but an evolution that carries with it visible markers of what has come before and illuminates the history of the place and the people who have lived in these places for decades.
Panacea or Problem? The Possibilities in Opportunity Zones
With Opportunity Zones, the potential is there for great benefit, but it is not yet clear where, how, and to whom any benefits will accrue. People who care about connecting residents and businesses in distressed communities with opportunities need to act now so they fulfill their promise.
Q: Do economic development incentives support small businesses?
A. Not very much. Despite the claims of many states, when you look at the numbers, the vast majority of taxpayer dollars directed to economic development go to big corporations.
The Not-So Hidden Truths About the Segregation of America’s Housing
Our conversation with The Color of Law author Richard Rothstein on uncovering truths about our not-so distant history of federally mandated racial segregation in housing.
Flipping the Script
A nonprofit forgoes the typical community meeting for a "living charrette," which leads to greater neighborhood feedback about a proposed 24-acre development in Austin, Texas.
A Review of The Fight for Fair Housing
The collection of 17 essays captures and explains the dynamism of the fair housing movement with its remarkable contributors.
Expanding Community Benefits Agreements to Events
Shelterforce spoke with Race Forward’s Leslie Grant-Spann to find out what it means to have a community benefits agreement for an event, and why it’s important to think about the local impacts of large events.
Shelter Shorts, The Week in Community Development—Jan. 11
This week: shutdown emergency, Paradise's poor planning, gentrification is dangerous, when bad judgement leads to a promotion, "gym deserts", more . . .
Speaking Up On Race, Housing, and Opportunity in Minnesota
In the housing world, narrative plays an important role in defining whose voice gets heard, how issues are framed, and what solutions are developed. This is especially true in Minnesota.
Hospital System Helps Housing Partners Unlock Capital
When plans to develop affordable housing units in San Bernardino hit a funding roadblock, Dignity Health committed a $1.2 million bridge loan to help fill the gap. But the health system didn’t stop there.
Working Through Growing Pains in Artist/Community Developer Collaborations
At their roots, both the arts and community development amplify a people’s voice. And while this connection makes sense on paper, it can look a lot different in practice. We would like to share three insights from our work together that speak to the promise, and peril, of such collaboration.
Shelter Shorts, The Week in Community Development—Jan. 4
News from—and affecting—the community development world. This week: Shockwaves from the government shutdown, Backlash over NJ Democrat power grab, Alternative credit scoring models, A HUD public housing publicity stunt?, Cashless establishments are unfair, more...
Will Amazon’s HQ2 Threaten Fair Housing?
If Amazon is going to be a good neighbor, it must do the following, at the very least, to mitigate against impediments to fair housing.
Vermont’s SASH Program Keeps Seniors in their Homes
The statewide program connects elderly residents with community-based services and saves money in urban areas by reducing emergency room and specialist visits.
Shelter Shorts, The Week in Community Development—Dec. 14
News from—and affecting—the community development world. This week: Corporate tax breaks at schools expense, social services shame, power grabs post-midterms, hospitals and communities, NYC residents speak out about Amazon, more.
It Takes Strong Roots to Achieve Climate Justice
Throughout 2018's six day Sol-2-Sol climate justice convening, indigenous people from the occupied U.S. territories and lands from around the world led many of the actions and activities, especially those directly impacted.