On March 16, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation released its 2016 County Health Rankings1 showing a worsening of conditions in some “rustbelt” counties like Wayne County (Detroit), and Philadelphia County, ranking them lowest in their respective states in terms of the social and economic factors and physical environment that affect health. In order to improve economic and physical health ... Read More
The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago Community Development and Policy Studies Department participated in administering The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City's low- and moderate-income survey to respondents in the Seventh District. The survey is administered online twice a year to measure “economic conditions of low- and moderate-income (LMI) populations and the organizations that serve t... Read More
In the Community Development and Policy Studies (CDPS) Department's field work throughout the Seventh District, CDPS contacts - in varying contexts - have voiced concerns about conditions impacting low- and Encouraging business formation, increasing employment, and improving quality of life in inner cities are a few of the most important but most challenging goals for both policymakers an... Read More
On November 17, 2015, the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and the Upjohn Institute will hold a conference to explore labor issues affecting agriculture and the rural Midwest. The conference will be preceded on November 16, 2015, by the performance of a play that deals with immigrant experiences in agriculture, followed by a policy discussion. Visit the conference website for more details and to r... Read More
Continuing efforts to facilitate opportunities for the community development and public health sectors to collaborate in order to maximize resources and impact, the Community Development and Policy Studies Division at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago introduces MeasureUp, an online application recently released by the Build Healthy Places Network that will help to communicate data acr... Read More
Every year, the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) helps federally insured regulated financial institutions meet the credit needs of the communities in which they operate.1 To this end, CRA supports affordable housing efforts, small business and small farm development, as well as other initiatives that revitalize and/or stabilize low- and moderate-income communities. Thus, understanding how... Read More
The term “community development” is narrowly defined in the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA). However, one of the more prominent components is lending and investment in affordable housing (including multi-family and rental units) for low- and moderate-income residents.1 The Fed's Community Development and Policy Studies (CDPS) division works to foster the active engagement of depo... Read More
In the Community Development and Policy Studies (CDPS) Department's field work throughout the Seventh District, CDPS contacts - in varying contexts - have voiced concerns about conditions impacting low- and moderate-income (LMI) communities. CDPS' goals include conducting research on community and economic development topics that impact lower-wealth, lower-income, and recent immigrant pop... Read More
In a recent blog, I shared my observations about Pittsburgh's efforts to revitalize its urban core. Then, I analyzed the extent to which Pittsburgh's turnaround can serve as a model for Detroit as its city leaders and stakeholders look to revitalize the city's urban core. While Detroit has begun to replicate the efforts of other cities, such as showcasing the city's riverfront with the De... Read More
In the digital era, broadband is essential for running a business, finding a job, and getting and receiving most types of mainstream data and information. Yet disparity in broadband use remains a concern across communities, affecting both businesses and households. The Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago-Detroit Branch recently organized its fifth videoconference discussion with the Federal ... Read More
