This post captures select new content published by the Federal Reserve between April 1 and June 30, 2026, on the topics of economic development, workforce development, Native communities, housing, artificial intelligence, small business, and credit access.
Each quarter, Fed Communities will retrospectively share new community development-related research, analyses, and articles from all 12 Federal Reserve Banks and the Board of Governors in one convenient place.
Economic development strengthens economies by creating resilient, and vibrant communities. From closing gaps and increasing access, to sharing and deploying resources after a natural disaster, economic development is an essential tool for every lower-income community. Explore the latest economic development articles and research from Fed experts.
Understanding the Fed: Five Things You Should Know About Consumer Protection and Community Development
By David Pendered
Survey of Household Economics and Decisionmaking
By The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
25 Years of Community Engagement and Partnerships
By Kansas City Fed Staff
New interactive KC Fed tools provide current data on lower-income populations
By Steven Howland
Why did auto insurance rates go up so much in Minnesota?
By Tu-Uyen Tran
Minnesota hospitality businesses are wary about the summer season
By Haley Chinander
The Local Economic Impact of Coal Mine Closures
By David Nason, Adam Scavette, and Heather M. Stephens
Consumer Credit Health after the 2025 St. Louis Tornado
By Liz Deichmann
How Are Small Businesses Doing in the Southeast? A Look at the Latest Survey Results
By Mary Hirt and Aaliyah Price
Access to credit can help grow businesses, create financial stability, and build wealth, but it remains a challenge in many LMI communities. Check out the latest articles and research on credit access from Fed experts.
Building Stronger Communities: The Power of CRA and Public-Private Partnerships
By Austin Cherry, Jessica Farr, and Mary Hirt
Beyond Investment: How CDFIs Support Community and Economic Development in Low- and Moderate-Income Areas
By Merissa Piazza
2025 Federal Reserve CDFI Survey: Financial headwinds and persistent demand
By Ariel Cisneros
Unpacking the capital stack: What developers told us about creating affordable places to live
By Rachael Surmick
Credit Insecurity and ALICE Households in the United States
By Claire Kramer Mills, Ambika Nair, Jacob Scott, Drew Abrahamson, Ashley Anglin, and Stephanie Hoopes
Older Adults and Banking Deserts
By Alaina Barca
Same Sector, Different Stories: How CDFI Credit Union Experiences Vary by Institution Type
By Surekha Carpenter
Do CDFIs Overcome Market Failures?
By Surekha Carpenter and Borys Grochulski
Discover how education and workforce development sectors are crucial in preparing individuals for fulfilling careers. Stay informed about the nation’s economic health through the monthly jobs reports. Explore the latest articles and research on workforce development from Fed experts.
What Enrollment Numbers Can (and Cannot) Tell Us About Access to Postsecondary Training Programs
By Tiffani Horton, Jacob Walker, and Elizabeth Bogue Simpson
Wanted: Soft Skills and the Training That Builds Them
By Michelle Park Lazette
Texas community college enrollment slips while four-year rates stay stable
By Christa Deneault, Isabel Dhillon, and Dylan Council
Understanding policy responses to weak labor demand
By Caryn Mohr and Ayushi Narayan
Is remote work declining? What the latest data show
By Haley Chinander
Eds and Meds: Variability of Anchor Institution Employment Impacts Across U.S. Regions
By Deborah Diamond, Theresa Dunne, and Adam Scavette
Beyond Academic Assistance: Key Findings on Wraparound Services at Community Colleges
By Emily Wavering Corcoran, Stephanie Norris, Anthony Tringali, and Sonya Ravindranath Waddell
Beyond Graduation Rates: How Rural Community Colleges Are Rewriting the Story of Student Success
By Kristin Vinagro and Stephanie Norris
Where Degrees Meet Demand: Occupational Projections and Higher Education
By Davy Sell, Stephanie Norris, and Anthony Tringali
Challenges and Strategies for Expanding Apprenticeships in the St. Louis Region
By Nishesh Chalise and Neelu Panth
It’s (Still) the Business Cycle: Young Adult Workers in a “Low-Hire, Low-Fire” Labor Market
By William M. Rodgers III and Alice L. Kassens
How Shifts in Labor Supply and Demand Shape Outcomes for Young Workers
By William M. Rodgers III and Alice L. Kassens
Affordable housing continues to dominate headlines and conversations as communities across the nation grapple with the challenge of providing adequate housing for people, especially those with low and moderate incomes. Check out some of the latest housing articles and research from Fed experts.
Personal Installment Loans: Context and Patterns Among U.S. Households
By Catherine Tonsberg, Amy Higgins, Sara Chaganti, and Ellie Pasternack
The Challenges and Opportunities Facing Detroit’s Housing Market: A Look at the Data and Local Responses
By Martin Lavelle and Heidi Reijm
Homeowners Insurance Premiums and Cancellations in Seventh District States: Insights from Publicly Available Zip Code Data
By Andy Polacek and Robin Newberger
Community Issues and Insights 2026: Housing Affordability and Inflation Remain Top Concerns
By Matt Klesta
Texas homeowners pay high insurance costs, face rising premiums
By Mariam Yousuf
How a population boom changed North Dakota’s housing markets
By Juliet Cramer, Ben Horowitz, and Libby Starling
Twin Cities region misses its housing marks
By Juliet Cramer, Ben Horowitz, and Libby Starling
Housing policies in Saint Paul yield mixed results, data and developers say
By Erik Hembre, Libby Starling, and Maxine Xu
Saint Paul Housing Dashboard
By Maxine Xu
Case Studies of the Production and Preservation of Multifamily Affordable Housing in the Second District
By Jacob Scott, Maria Carmelita Recto, and Jonathan Kivell
The Rising Burden of Homeowners Insurance in the Third District States
By Sisi Zhang and Victoria Aglar
Mixed Signals: A Housing Update for the Washington, D.C., Metro Area
By Taylor Pessin and Anthony Tringali
America Underbuilt Inc.: The Supply Side of the U.S. Housing Challenge
By Manu Garcia and Carlos Garriga
The Mortgage Borrower Who Can’t Fail and the One Who Can’t Win
By Manu Garcia and Carlos Garriga
Child care continues to garner significant attention because of its critical impact on families, employers, and the economy. As more parents enter the workforce, the demand for affordable, high-quality child care and education continues to rise. Dive into recent child care articles and research from Fed experts.
Job quality indicators and child-care access among mothers of young children in New England
By Sarah Ann Savage
Identifying predictors of nontraditional-hour care in the Massachusetts child-care subsidy system
By Kate Giapponi Schneider and Elizabeth Wong
Baby is here. How much leave do parents take?
By Lisa Camner McKay
Crisis continues for Minnesota’s child care sector
By Tu-Uyen Tran
Native communities have unique histories and cultures. They also face distinct, and in some cases, unique economic challenges. Check out the latest articles and research on Native communities from Fed experts.
Financing the Pawnee Nation Behavioral Health Center: A grassroots approach to community wellness
By Jennifer Chadwick
Tribes harness industry experience to enter new markets
By Ava LaPlante, Caryn Mohr, and Sakariye Mohamed
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is shifting community development, economic opportunity, and lower-income communities in many ways. Dive into recent AI focused articles and research from Fed experts.
AI adoption in business grows steadily but unevenly
By Erick Garcia Luna
Do Job Postings Show Early Labor‑Market Effects of AI?
By Richard Audoly, Miles Guerin, and Giorgio Topa
