This paper takes advantage of an unusually detailed family and youth survey conducted by the Institute for the Study of Work and Society (IETS) in Rio de Janeiro in the low-income community of Caju close to downtown Rio. It describes the weak educational background of Caju youth and some of the reasons for that weakness. The results emphasize the precarious nature of low-income youth’s educational achievements and their attachment to the job market. They also demonstrate the wide variance in youth characteristics even in a single low-income neighborhood.

Produced under contract with Bethel New Life, this report describes how Bethel developed programs that reduce lead hazards in homes, educated the public about the dangers of lead poisoning, and trained and employed local residents.

Describes some of the key features of the proposed 1994 CRA regulation and the advantaages and disadvantages.

Evaluates a variety of strategies for tackling the shortage of affordable rental housing, particularly as these strategies would impact small "mom and pop" owners of rental housing. Looks at an "average" cash flow statement of a Chicago owner with a 24 unit building to illustrate the impacts.

An analysis comparing the residents of a modest-income urban neighborhood to jobs in and around the neighborhood, utilizing specialized census data showing how many residents work in and around the neighborhood. The study provides evidence supporting the importance to local residents of economic activity in city neighborhoods.

The Community Reinvestment Act has brought solid benefits to a critical part of the Chicago economy -- the multifamily housing market. Good quality rental housing is essential to the well-being of low- and moderate-income families in Chicago, and is a sign of neighborhood stability particularly in neighborhoods where a high percentage of the housing stock is multifamily.

This alert examines two proposed changes to the regulation of the Community Reinvestment Act:  A regulation calling for the collection and disclosure of small business loan application and origination data for banks and savings and loans by census tract. Second, a proposal calling for the use of some objective measures as key indicators of a bank's responsiveness to credit and capital needs. Woodstock Institute found that on both these central changes, the revised proposal is a substantial retreat from earlier progress.