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.
Finds that lending for home purchases throughout
the Chicago area has increased dramatically in recent years, with loan
volume up by 50 percent from 1990 to 1994. Loans to low- and
moderate-income individuals increased at even higher rates than overall
loans, increasingby 85 percent over the same period.
Analyzes job patterns in the Chicago Empowerment Zone (EZ), examining
demographics of those who work in the EZ, the number of EZ jobs held by
EZ residents, and the work locations of EZ residents. The report
provides examples of efforts in Chicago and around the country aimed at
linking neighborhood residents to nearby jobs and calls for increased
attention to the barriers between jobs and residents in low-income
urban areas.
Documents the disproportionate concentration of liquor stores in lower-income and African-American neighborhoods in Cook County, Illinois. Also examines efforts and policies in Chicago and around the country to curb excessive liquor store densities in lower-income communities. Makes recommendations to stem the conditions that lead to liquor store over-concentration and blight.
This study finds that minorities and lower-income people who use these
"fringe banks" pay higher prices for basic financial services. In
addition to demonstrating the high costs charged by CEs, this Alert
makes recommendations aimed at encouraging greater use of banks by
these CE users, at reducing excessive fees charged by CEs, and at
increasing consumer awareness of the relative costs of financial
services.
This report analyzes data on 504 lending for the
entire nation and for the Chicago metropolitan area to discern whether
this SBA program is serving sound economic development purposes.
