Indepth analysis of persistant problems in the field of community development. Woodstock's research reports contribute to the body of knowledge used by policymakers and community development practitioners.
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.
Explains the importance of small business development to modest-income
urban neighborhoods, including discussions of access-to-credit problems
and the role of CRA and economic development finance in these markets.
Provides a framework for developing strategies for addressing small
business financing needs in targeted markets.
Profiles model small business lending programs around the country that
target modest-income communities. Examples include bank-community
partnerships, specialized bank units, multibank efforts,
government-administered programs, and CDFIs. The report also offers
lessons for effectively reaching underserved markets.
(A Project by the Credit Union Foundation, Inc.) Documentation of the
Vermont Development Credit Union's Affordable Mortgage Lending Program,
a unique program which combines home purchase counseling with
non-mortgage loan products to assist potential homebuyers become ready
for a mortgage. The program can serve as a model for other lenders
interested in affordable homeownership for lower-income families.
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.
