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.
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.
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.
A guide for congregations interested in understanding their community investment options, with descriptions of financial and management aspects, as well as social benefits, of different investment options. Examples provided.
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.
