By building energy-efficient properties, Habitat reduces heating costs and frees up more than $100 each month for homeowners.
Buying Power: Why Nonprofits Should Own Their Space
Four reasons why organizations should consider owning property in the neighborhood they work in.
Disaster Aid Perpetuates Inequality
After natural disasters, recovery efforts tend to lift up those who have resources to bounce back quickly, but cement poverty for those with modest means.
Artists as Organizers
Creative placemaking means more than merely adding public art into the mix. To be sustainable it needs to build relationships—and power.
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.
Reawakening “Courageous Philanthropy”
A review of Courageous Philanthropy: Going Public in a Closely Held World, by Jennifer Vanica.
“So, what do you do?” How to Have Conversations about Homelessness
Conversations about homelessness with those outside the field’s bubble can be exhausting, but there are several strategies and techniques that can help steer the conversation in a productive way.
The Rural Difference in Natural Disasters
There are distinct differences between natural disaster response and recovery in rural and urban communities. How can community-based organizations better respond to disasters and help rural communities prepare before disaster strikes?
From Sustainability to Resilience
My first reaction to the emergence of “resilience” as a lens for viewing community development was mostly informed by skepticism.
Resilience 101
Community development fits well within the growing resilience movement—and connecting the two more explicitly could make their work even more powerful.
The Uncertain Flood Zone
Communities need accurate maps and more access to data to increase flood resilience—but right now FEMA's not providing that.
NOLA Brings a Holistic Focus to Resilience
Cities cannot weather the effects of climate change without going beyond infrastructure to address institutional racism, historical inequities, and access to physical and mental health services.
Designing for Climate Change
How can affordable housing be more resilient to extreme weather and better prepared to deal with the consequences of climate change?
Moving Beyond Place-Based Community Organizing
How to train organizers to work across various communities, not just neighborhoods.
Q: Can Including Rent and Utility Payments in Credit Scores Reduce Racial Disparities in...
Including rent and utility payments in credit reports and scoring models can increase credit scores, and reduce racial disparities in credit scores.
Is Austin About to Make it Easier for Affordable Housing to Get Built?
If this proposal passes, Austin will make it much easier for developers to build affordable housing. How much will be lost if it doesn't?
Shelter Shorts
The Week in Community Development—May 17
Facial Recognition Tech and communities | The trauma effects of Hurricane Maria on children in Puerto Rico | Ithaca offers childcare at council meetings | A new healthcare partnership | Rural America | A blow to gig economy workers | More...