Financial System

It’s not new for states and localities to have their own fair housing and community reinvestment measures—but as the federal government backs away from enforcement, their versions may become more important.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guarantee most U.S. home loans, which is supposed to make homeownership widely accessible. But is this happening? In this webinar, three field leaders argue that these government-sponsored enterprises need to step up with new products and services to expand access to homeownership.

The OZ program unleashed billions in private capital. Whether it lifts neighborhoods or just investors hinges on who’s steering the money and how well they can navigate the system. Now that Congress has made OZs permanent, the stakes are even higher.

Through its bequests and aging in place program, financial education offerings, and more, Artist Space Trust works to stabilize Bay Area artists in their communities.

The agency says $20 billion in green funding for low-income communities was mismanaged and issued with political bias, but so far the EPA hasn’t produced the evidence needed to legally block the grants. Three nonprofits have filed suit.

We don’t often make a clear distinction between investors and speculators, which makes it harder to identify harmful behavior—and to find solutions for it.

Affordable housing and neighborhood investment programs are closely tied to banking and the Treasury Department. What is the incoming administration’s attitude toward some key financial regulations, and how easy would it be for them to enact changes?

What is the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund and how will it benefit affordable housing residents and community development organizations?

A new statewide program aims to help renters benefit from the value they add to the buildings they live in. Here’s how the program could work, and when it could begin.

Shelterforce spoke with community-lending leaders and experts about the current mood across the sector. What, if anything, are organizations planning to do to avoid becoming the next target?

The nonprofit is giving the big bank a shot at proving it’s not the “worst” for Black borrowers. But after getting burned by the lender during the last community benefits agreement, what guardrails can NCRC put in place to ensure KeyBank keeps its promises?

The End Hedge Fund Control of American Homes Act is an ambitious attempt to keep private equity’s influence out of single-family homes. If passed, the bill will need ownership transparency to be effective.