Out of Reach 2018: The High Cost of Housing – The National Low Income Housing Coalition’s report found here illustrates that rental housing is out of reach for millions of low-wage workers, seniors and people with disabilities living on fixed incomes, and other low income households.
Information to Help Young Workers Access Banking Services – Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has released a blogpost on strengthening the financial future of America’s young workers. They have compiled a list of three key resources related to checking and savings accounts for young people. Check it out here. Also available from CFPB: Building Blocks to Help Youth Achieve Financial Capability: A new model and recommendations.
FEDS Notes: Where’s the Money Going? The Importance of Accounting for Rent Payments in Measuring a Household’s Financial Obligations – Click here.
How small-dollar loan programs can be a big benefit for employees (and their employers) – New from The Federal Reserve Bank, also in our library. By providing their workers with access to affordable, low-risk credit, companies could help ease personal financial stresses—and improve their own bottom lines. Read more in this June 2018 article from Community Dividend, an online publication of the Minneapolis Fed.
Urban Revitalization & Impact Investing – The Council of Development Finance Agencies has released 2 whitepapers of interest: Urban Revitalization & Impact Investing explores the cross-section of urban revitalization and impact investing. Next up: Small Business Development and Impact Investing.
The Democracy Collaborative is proud to share the next paper in its “New Systems: Possibilities and Proposals” series – Solidarity Economy: Building an Economy for People & Planet by Emily Kawano, Coordinator of the United States Solidarity Economy Network and Wellspring Cooperative Corporation co-director.
Free White Paper: 10 Reasons Why Nonprofits Need True Fund Accounting – From the Nonprofit Times. A true fund accounting system is a comprehensive and purpose-built technology designed to meet the unique needs of a nonprofit organization’s financial infrastructure. True fund accounting meets thecomplex fund tracking and flexible reporting requirements vital to a nonprofit’s continued ability to grow and serve its community. Click here.
NLIHC Report Now Available in Spanish – NLIHC has released a Spanish version of its 2018 edition of The Gap: A Shortage of Affordable Homes report (La Brecha: Escasez de Viviendas de Alquiler Asequibles). Based on American Community Survey data, The Gap/La Brecha documents the gap between the number of renter households and rental units that are affordable and available to them. The report shows that America is experiencing an extreme shortage of affordable homes, especially for those with the lowest incomes.
New resources on FedCommunities.org – Demographics of Wealth 2018 Series — Essay No. 1: The Financial Returns from College across Generations: Large but Unequal; Essay No. 2: A Lost Generation? Long-Lasting Wealth Impacts of the Great Recession on Young Families. Also Report on the Economic Well-Being of U.S. Households.
FHA Lending Study by CRL – The Center for Responsible Lending has produced a thoughtful paper on FHA and its role in providing mortgages, especially in communities of color, and what changes are needed to serve communities more effectively. Click here.
2018 Prosperity Now Scorecard! Whether you missed the webinar or want to share it with your friends and colleagues, click here to access the recording and slide deck from today’s national launch webinar.
Nonprofit Finance Fund’s Outreach Kit for State of the Nonprofit Sector Survey
Key Findings on Small Business Credit
FRBAtlanta’s 2015 Small Business Credit Survey (SBCS) Report on Employer Firms, found that 63% of business owners who had borrowed also used their personal assets or guarantee to secure financing. Surprisingly, the use of personal collateral was common not only among startups. Older and relatively larger small firms also relied heavily on personal assets. Click here for more details and other findings from the survey.
The Role of Anchor Institutions in Restoring Neighborhoods
Released by the Center for Housing Policy at the National Housing Conference. This brief examines the role that key anchor institutions can play in community development and neighborhood revitalization efforts.
Lessons of the International Housing Partnership
This paper from the Housing Partnership Network compares and contrasts social enterprises in the United States and the United Kingdom, and suggests five policy changes to expand the role of social enterprises in the United States: Expand the Capital Magnet Fund; Prioritize preservation and stock transfer to high capacity nonprofits; Use a portfolio model for multifamily housing preservation; Make housing a platform for improving communities and building assets for residents; Improve access to affordable homeownership. Click here.
Housing Landscape 2016
The Center for Housing Policy at the National Housing Conference’s new report reveals that more low- and moderate-working households are renting as opposed to owning their homes. Rents have increased as a result of heightened demand, with the median housing costs for renters rising by more than six percent since 2011. Working owners fared better, with a five percent decline in median housing costs over that same three-year period furthering a continued decline in the share of severely cost burdened working homeowners. Click here.
FIELD finds U.S. microenterprise field continues to grow
Click here for FIELD’s census 2014 highlights, indicating that Microenterprise programs continue to focus on the individuals who have the greatest challenges generating income and wealth, including women, people of color, and low-income individuals; Microlenders are achieving strong growth as they continue to fill the vacuum in small business lending that emerged after the recession. The number of microloans disbursed increased by 49%; and Microenterprise programs are cost-effective. The median cost to assist an entrepreneur was $1,335. Visit www.microtracker.org to access data to learn about specific organizations in your region.
FRB of Atlanta’s Small City Economic Dynamism Index
The Atlanta Fed’s new interactive tool and data set, the Small City Economic Dynamism Index, explores 244 small U.S. cities. The index enables policymakers and practitioners to examine local trends and compare cities across four measures of economic dynamism: demographics, economics, human capital, and infrastructure.
Out of Reach 2015
The National Low Income Housing Coalition released Out of Reach 2015. The report finds that nationally the housing wage, or the hourly wage a person working 40 hours per week would need to earn in order to afford a modest, two-bedroom rental unit, is $19.35. Out of Reach underscores the intense need for affordable housing in every state, metropolitan area, and county throughout the United States. Click here for the report. In Florida, the Fair Market Rent (FMR) for a 2-bedroom apartment is $1,012. Florida’s “housing wage”, or the hourly wage needed to afford a 2-bedroom rental at FMR, is $19.47. This is the 16th highest housing wage in the nation. A minimum-wage employee would have to work 97 hours per week to afford this apartment.
Report: Historic Tax Credits- Bringing New Life to Older Communities
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) released an updated edition of its 2008 Community Developments Insights report entitled Historic Tax Credits: Bringing New Life to Older Communities. This Insights report provides an overview of Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits, why they might be of interest to other banks, and associated risks or regulatory considerations. The OCC Community Affairs Tax Credits Resource Directory provides additional information on other tax credit investment programs.
Report: Donor Engagement Study: Aligning Nonprofit Strategy with Donor Preferences
What really makes donors tick? This study compares how donors actually engage with organizations versus how nonprofits think donors engage with their organizations.
Great webinar from the Center for Community Change on how to talk about poverty and inequality
It provides new research and guidance on how to effectively engage your base, activists, and “persuadables.” http://www.cccaction.org/pfa-gjfa-message-research-recording/
Funding Opportunity: Refugee Family Child Care Microenterprise Development
The Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) within the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) invites eligible entities to submit competitive grant applications for funding under the Refugee Family Child Care Microenterprise Development (RFCCMED) Program, formerly known as the Refugee Home-Based Child Care Microenterprise Development Project. Click here for details.
National Foundation for Credit Counseling’s Financial Literacy Survey
The survey provides a look at the American consumer’s level of knowledge as it relates to financial literacy, as well as trends associated with personal finance behavior. This year, the results reveal the split between how Americans rate their own financial knowledge and their actions when it comes to spending and saving. Read the full 30-page survey here. In addition, review the infographic that highlights the results of the survey.
Neighborworks America’s FY 14 Annual Report: Stories that illustrate why we make a difference
What puts the “work” in NeighborWorks? We think it’s our combination of national expertise with local solutions, the theme of the FY 2014 annual report. We share just a few of the stories that illustrate how that winning combination is making a difference every day, in communities across the country. Please read and share!
Whitepaper: Diversity in Giving- The Changing Landscape of American Philanthropy
America is in the midst of a dramatic cultural shift, but evidence suggests that organized philanthropy may be stuck in the past. As a nation becomes more ethnically and racially diverse, it is more important than ever to consider whether the fundraising playbook is due for an overhaul. We launched this study as a step toward answering questions such as “Do our current fundraising efforts reach the full spectrum of Americans who might support them? Are we speaking the language – literally and figuratively-of tomorrow’s donors?” The results of this survey will provide useful pointers toward a more inclusive approach to fundraising. Click here.
HOME HTF Comparison Chart _2015
Our jobs are to educate. Some folks on Capitol Hill are trying to justify reductions in funding for either the HOME program and/or the National Housing Trust Fund, by claiming the programs are duplicative. It’s a prevalent enough notion that some of our partners have taken the time to create a fact sheet. It could be very helpful if you encounter the question.
Opening Doors – US Interagency Council on Homelessness
The nation’s first comprehensive strategy to prevent and end homelessness. Click here.
The ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) Report
Released by United Way FL, provides economic data on all FL counties regarding household income and expenses. ALICE report
TD Bank 2013 Community Development Survey Results
Homeward Bound: Policy and Resource Guide for Housing Homeless Floridians
A historical overview of homeless assistance policy in the U.S. and Florida, that examines trends in homeless population and key policies with a focus on empirical research. Homeward Bound is an ideal introduction to homeless issues for entry-level employees at Continuum of Care lead and member agencies, as well as mainstream affordable housing providers, funders, elected officials, and others with an interest in ending homelessness
Census Bureau Supplemental Poverty Measure Report
The Supplemental Poverty Measure extends the official poverty measure by taking account of many of the government programs (such as the Earned Income Tax Credit and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) designed to assist low-income families and individuals that are not included in the current official poverty measure. This fourth annual report compares 2013 supplemental poverty estimates with 2013 official poverty estimates for numerous demographic groups. It also provides supplemental poverty estimates for states using three-year averages (2011-2013) and compare 2012 and 2013 supplemental poverty estimates. Click here.
Census Explorer
The U.S. Census Bureau Census Explorer: an interactive mapping tool that gives users easier access to neighborhood level statistics. The mapping tool uses updated statistics from the 2008-2012 American Community Survey (ACS).
Community Contribution Tax Credit Program
The Community Contribution Tax Credit Program provides a financial incentive (up to 50 percent tax credit or sales tax refund) to encourage Florida businesses to make donations toward community development and housing projects for low-income persons. $21 million of tax credits may be approved each state fiscal year starting on July 1, 2014. To learn more about this program, click here.
Proposed Sponsor Project Outline Form 8E-17TCA#01 (revised 09-2013) Program Overview Revised-07-2014
HR 1213: The Common Sense Housing Investment Act of 2013
If the federal government spent less on housing tax breaks for upper income Americans, we could raise enough revenue to make sure every poor man, woman, and child has a home. A family who earned more than $200,000 in 2012 got a mortgage tax break of $3,648: the cost of a housing voucher for a poor family for six months. HR 1213 includes the United for Homes campaign proposal for modifying the mortgage interest deduction. Please take a moment to check out how the United for Homes proposal would affect your taxes.
2013 MBO Partners State of Independence Report
A new report brings to light that the U.S. independent workforce has grown to nearly 18 million; workers are generating $1.2 trillion in total income and spending another $150 billion in business expenses. 2013mbo_partners_state_of_independence_report
Summary of Final HOME Regulations
Many thanks to Ed Gramlich of the National Low Income Housing Coalition for sharing his 25 page summary of the new HOME regulations. Click here for summary of final home regulations
Article: Can Successful Community Development Be Anything But Comprehensive?
To truly help a neighborhood you need a lead agency to organize, plan, and coordinate many actors. By: Jim Capraro When I hear the “debate” regarding whether CDCs should work “comprehensively,” and whether comprehensive work is or should be “fundable,” it makes me smile. For 35 years I served as the executive director of the Greater Southwest Development Corporation—a place-based, geo-bounded, nonprofit neighborhood CDC working on the southwest side of Chicago. From the day I started the job on Jan. 15, 1976, I knew we would be working comprehensively (although, at the time, we never used that word).
Why did we think this way? If our goal was to revitalize a neighborhood, it just made good sense. All of the elements of a good neighborhood—good schools, retail vitality, decent housing, safety, employment and entrepreneurship, nutritious food choices, and opportunities for youth—had to be present. In high-quality neighborhoods all of these items, and more, have to rank somewhere between adequate and excellent. Read more here.
Center for Housing Policy’s Annual Housing Landscape Report
The newest edition of the Center for Housing Policy (CHP)’s annual Housing Landscape report finds that severe housing cost burdens among working renter households have risen for the third consecutive year. Housing Landscape 2013 explores the latest American Community Survey data from 2011, showing that 26.4 percent of working renters spent more than half of household income on housing costs. While severe housing cost burdens stayed relatively stable for working homeowners between 2008 and 2011, roughly one in five working homeowners experienced severe housing affordability challenges throughout this period — despite falling home prices and mortgage interest rates.
Working homeowners may have dodged the upswing in housing costs that hit renters, but they have not avoided the effects of falling incomes. In fact, while housing costs among homeowners fell some 3 percent over the study period, household incomes among these homeowners fell even more than they did for renters, down more than 4 percent over the three-year span. However, NHC President and CEO Chris Estes cautioned that a high and growing proportion of all working households — renters and homeowners combined — cannot afford their housing, and that little is being done to help.
Read the Housing Landscape 2013 Report
CFED’s Assets & Opportunity Scorecard
The 2013 Assets & Opportunity Scorecard, reveals that despite strong signs of economic recovery, millions of Americans are still living on the brink of financial disaster. The percentage of households in liquid asset poverty edged slightly upwards this year to 43.9%.
The Scorecard also reveals that by most metrics, households of color aren’t faring as well as their white counterparts. Although the majority (58.3%) of liquid asset poor households are white, nearly two-thirds (62.6%) of households of color fall into that category, making them one job loss or medical emergency away from financial collapse.
To explore these issues and 100+ measures of financial security, as well as to reinvigorate a national discussion about how best to address America’s burgeoning asset poverty problem, CFED has developed a series of resources. Main findings and downloadable state profiles and custom reports for advocacy efforts are just a few.
Scaling Smarter, Scaling for Keeps
Bringing social programs to scale is a common goal, yet it’s rarely realized. The threat of cuts to such programs, amplified by other fiscal constraints, means we not only need to ramp up proven innovations, but we also need to be smarter and more effective about how we do so. Chris Walker, LISC director of Research and Assessment, pens a blog on the Stanford Social Innovation Review on lessons from bringing LISC’s successful Financial Opportunity Center program to scale. See full study here.
Federal Real Estate Spending Report
Smart Growth America’s (SGA) recently released report, Federal Involvement in Real Estate: A Call for Examination, weighs in on the government’s efficacy with regards to spending on housing and real estate development.
Building Support for Affordable Homeownership and Rental Choices: A Summary of Research Findings on Public Opinion and Messaging on Affordable Housing
Building Support for Affordable Homeownership and Rental Choices: A Summary of Research Findings on Public Opinion and Messaging on Affordable Housing, published by the Center for Housing Policy, offers housing advocates and practitioners the latest polling data and concepts on how to effectively communicate about housing affordability issues with the public and policymakers. It is the latest report in the Center’s Insights from Housing Policy Research series.
Veterans’ Housing Guide
The National Housing Conference Center for Housing Policy presents a guide that highlights proven solutions to the challenge of veterans homelessness, Veterans Permanent Supportive Housing: Policy and Practice.Permanent supportive housing for veterans relies on the combination of (1) little to no hard debt, (2) property-based rental assistance, and (3) dedicated funding for supportive services. Click here to Download and read the new veterans housing guide.
Coalition on Human Needs
Check out this report, New Census Data Confirm Millions Are Still Being Left Behind.
Article: The Role of Social Enterprise and Hybrid Organizations by Ofer Eldar
The goal of the article is to advance a theory of social enterprise and hybrid organizations that can inform legal policy. Click here.
Home Matters for Florida Report 2014
Released by Florida Housing Coalition, click here.