Voices Blog – News & views for the community development field
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Debt-related license suspensions put the brakes on employment
Debt-related driver’s license suspensions can keep people out of the workforce and make it hard for businesses to find and keep the employees they need. Research and practical interventions are helping to change that.
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How have CDFIs leveraged various funding mechanisms? Federal Reserve survey aims to find out
Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) are important to closing gaps in credit and capital access. The 2025 CDFI Survey aims to dive into specific topics or challenges in the CDFI landscape.
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The Quarterly Catch-up, Q1 2025
Check out the latest community development-related research, analyses, and articles from all 12 Federal Reserve Banks and the Board of Governors. This post captures content published between January 1 and March 31, 2025, on topics affecting communities.
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Key insights from the 2024 Small Business Credit Survey
The 2024 Small Business Credit Survey revealed a decline in revenue growth, with more firms experiencing revenue decreases. Credit applications stayed steady, but fewer firms sought financing from large banks, turning to smaller banks and alternative lenders.
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Affording homeownership now is hard for many. These approaches may help.
In this explainer, learn more about some of the factors recently complicating affordable US homeownership and discover how some communities and organizations are helping to extend affordable homeownership to more families.
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Community perspectives and conditions from the Fed’s Beige Book, February 2025
Here’s what nonprofit and community leaders, and workforce professionals serving lower-income people shared with the Federal Reserve for the February 2025 Beige Book.
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Powerful tool helps job seekers chart a path to higher-paying roles
The Occupational Mobility Explorer uses data from millions of employment ads to show workers the skills they need to attain higher-paying jobs.
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![[Watch] The Power of Place: Building Inclusive Economies Through Collaboration](https://fedcommunities.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/connecting-communities-role-place.jpg?w=1024)
[Watch] The Power of Place: Building Inclusive Economies Through Collaboration
During this Connecting Communities webinar hear from local leaders who participated in three Fed-supported place-based iniatives. Watch or listen on demand.
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The last bank branch standing
As physical bank branches close, some residents and small businesses in resulting banking deserts struggle to access essential financial services. In some communities, CDFIs are stepping in to help fill this gap.
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Community perspectives and conditions from the Fed’s Beige Book, January 2025
Here’s what nonprofit and community leaders, and workforce professionals serving lower-income people shared with the Federal Reserve for the January 2025 Beige Book.
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The Quarterly Catch-up, Q4 2024
Check out the latest community development-related research, analyses, and articles from all 12 Federal Reserve Banks and the Board of Governors. This post captures content published between October 1 and December 31, 2024, on topics affecting marginalized communities.
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Community perspectives and conditions from the Fed’s Beige Book, November 2024
Here’s what nonprofit and community leaders, and workforce professionals serving lower-income people shared with the Federal Reserve for the November 2024 Beige Book.